In today’s digital landscape, organisations often require a blend of on-premises and cloud-based solutions to meet their identity and access management needs. Setting up a hybrid Active Directory (AD) environment allows for seamless integration between on-premises infrastructure and cloud services like Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on configuring a hybrid AD environment using .

Understanding Hybrid Active Directory

A hybrid Active Directory environment combines traditional on-premises AD with Azure AD, enabling unified identity management across both platforms. This setup allows users to access resources both within the corporate network and in the cloud using a single set of credentials.

Benefits of a Hybrid AD Setup:

  • Unified Identity: Single sign-on (SSO) capabilities across on-premises and cloud applications.

  • Enhanced Security Utilisation of Azure AD’s security features like Conditional Access and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

  • Scalability: Easier integration with cloud services as the organisation grows.

Prerequisites

Before initiating the hybrid AD setup, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

  1. On-Premises Active Directory: A functioning AD environment running on .

  2. Azure Subscription: An active Azure subscription with Azure AD configured.

  3. Azure AD Connect: A tool for synchronising on-premises AD with Azure AD.

  4. Verified Domain The domain used in on-premises AD should be verified in Azure AD.

  5. Network Configuration: Ensure proper network connectivity between on-premises servers and Azure services.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Hybrid Active Directory

Step 1: Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

  1. Launch Server Manager. Open Server Manager on your Windows Server 2022 Standard machine.

  2. Add Roles and Features Navigate to “Manage” > “Add Roles and Features.”

  3. Select Role-Based Installation Choose “Role-based or feature-based installation.”

  4. Select Server: Choose the server from the server pool.

  5. Install AD DS Role: Under “Server Roles,” select “Active Directory Domain Services.”

  6. Complete Installation: Follow the prompts to complete the installation. 

Step 2: Promote Server to Domain Controller

  1. Promote Server: After installing AD DS, a notification will appear in Server Manager. Click on “Promote this server to a domain controller.”

  2. Deployment Configuration: Choose “Add a new forest” and specify the root domain name.

  3. Domain Controller Options Configure the desired forest and domain functional levels. Set the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password.

  4. DNS Options: Configure DNS settings as needed.

  5. Additional Options: Specify the NetBIOS name for the domain.

  6. Paths Specify the locations for the AD database, log files, and SYSVOL folder.

  7. Review and Install: Review the configuration and installation. The server will restart once complete.

Step 3: Verify Active Directory Installation

  1. Log In After the server restarts, log in using the domain administrator account.

  2. Open AD Tools Access “Active Directory Users and Computers” to verify the domain setup.

  3. Check DNS Make sure your DNS records are set up correctly. 

Tròch 4: Cài đặt Azure AD Connect

  1. Download Azure AD Connect Obtain the latest version of Azure AD Connect from Microsoft’s official website.

  2. Run Installer: Launch the installer and agree to the licence terms.

  3. Installation Type: Choose “Express Settings” for a default configuration or “Custom” for advanced options.

  4. Connect to Azure AD: Connectez-vous avec vos identifiants d'administrateur général Azure AD.

  5. Connect to AD DS: As an AI, I do not have access to any on-premises Active Directory or any personal or enterprise credentials. Therefore, I am unable to provide you with credentials for an enterprise administrator account. It is crucial for security reasons that enterprise administrator account credentials are kept confidential and are not shared or requested from untrusted sources.

  6. Configure Synchronisation Select the desired synchronization options, such as password hash synchronisation.

  7. Install Complete the installation. Azure AD Connect will begin the initial synchronisation process. 

Step 5: Verify Synchronisation

  1. Open Synchronisation Service: Access the “Synchronization Service Manager” to monitor synchronization status.

  2. Check Azure AD Log in to the Azure portal and navigate to Azure Active Directory > Users to verify that on-premises users are synchronised.

Step 6: Configure Hybrid Azure AD Join (Optional)

  1. Enable Device Writeback: In Azure AD Connect, enable device writeback if you plan to manage devices from Azure AD.

  2. Configure Group Policy: Configure Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enable the automatic registration of domain-joined devices with Azure AD.

  3. Verify device registration Ensure devices appear in both on-premises AD and Azure AD.

Best Practices for Hybrid Active Directory

  • Regular Backups Maintain regular backups of both on-premises AD and Azure AD configurations.

  • Monitor Synchronisation: Check synchronization logs regularly to identify and resolve issues promptly.

  • Security Measures: Implement security best practices, including MFA and Conditional Access policies.

  • Documentation: Keep detailed documentation of your hybrid AD setup for troubleshooting and audits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I set up a hybrid Active Directory without Azure AD Connect?
 A1: Azure AD Connect is the primary tool provided by Microsoft for synchronising on-premises AD with Azure AD. While other methods exist, Azure AD Connect is the recommended approach for most scenarios.

Is it necessary to have a verified domain in Azure AD?
 Yes, the domain used in your on-premises AD must be verified in Azure AD to ensure proper synchronisation and authentication. 

Q3: How often does Azure AD Connect synchronize data?
 By default, Azure AD Connect synchronises data every 30 minutes. This interval can be customised based on organisational needs. 

Can I use Azure AD Join instead of Hybrid Azure AD Join?
 A4: Azure AD Join is suitable for cloud-only environments. For organisations with existing on-premises infrastructure, Hybrid Azure AD Join provides a more integrated solution.

What happens if Azure AD Connect fails?
 A5: If Azure AD Connect fails, synchronisation between on-premises AD and Azure AD stops. It’s crucial to monitor the tool and address any issues promptly to maintain seamless identity management.