Why Choose Microsoft Entra Connect for Hybrid Identity?

Table of Contents

• What is Microsoft Entra Connect?
• Many recent changes are happening. How exactly does this latest change impact Azure AD Connect? It is already in use.
• What actions should we take regarding these changes?
• Are you curious about Microsoft Entra Connect?
• Have you heard about Microsoft Entra Connect Health?
• Are you still wondering why Microsoft Entra Connect?
• Looking for a reliable way to keep your on-premises identity infrastructure health in check?

What is Microsoft Entra Connect?

If your organization needs a reliable solution to achieve your hybrid identity goals, choose Microsoft Entra Connect. This amazing on-premises application from Microsoft is specially designed to streamline your identity management needs. With Entra Connect, you can enjoy hassle-free hybrid identity management and ensure seamless integration between your on-premises and cloud-based environments.

Many recent changes are happening. How exactly does this latest change impact Azure AD Connect? It is already in use.

Azure AD Connect V1 was released several years ago. Since this time, several of the components used have been scheduled for deprecation and updated to newer versions. Attempting to update all of these components individually would take time and planning.

To solve this issue, Microsoft has bundled many newer components into a single release. This means you only have to update once. This release is Microsoft Entra Connect V2. This release is a new version of the same software. It is used to achieve your hybrid identity goals and is built using the latest foundational components.

What actions should we take regarding these changes?

• You should upgrade to Microsoft Entra Connect V2. Azure AD Connect V1 has been retired. It is no longer supported after August 31, 2022.
• Azure AD Connect V1 installations stop working unexpectedly if you continue to use it in your organization.
• Microsoft recommends switching to Entra Cloud Sync, which is a suitable option to consider.
• Extended support for SQL Server 2012 has already been retired. Azure AD Connect uses SQL Server 2012 Local DB. It requires SQL 2019 DB to ensure enhanced stability. This also provides improved performance and security bug fixes.
• Azure AD Connect uses the ADAL authentication library. It needs to be upgraded to the newer MSAL library. ADAL has already been deprecated since December 2022.
• Microsoft is updating the C++ runtime library; therefore, Visual C++ Redist 14 is required.
• Previous versions of TLS 1.2 are not supported. If your server does not support this version, please enable it.
• The Microsoft Entra Connect previous versions came with the ADAL authentication library, but it is already deprecated after December 2022. The Microsoft Entra Connect release includes the newer MSAL library.
• Microsoft Entra Connect v2 includes SQL Server 2019 components. Therefore, Windows Server 2012 is no longer supported. Windows Server 2012 R2 is also not supported.
• PowerShell 5.0 is now a prerequisite for Microsoft Entra Connect due to the inclusion of new cmdlets.
• No additional features have been added in v2.0 release, which only includes updates to some foundational components of Microsoft Entra Connect.
• Microsoft Entra Connect V2 supports upgrades from any earlier version.
• The configuration from the previous version of Microsoft Entra Connect can be exported and imported into Microsoft Entra Connect V2.
• Auto upgrade feature is still supported for receiving the latest release but ensure that TLS 1.2 is enabled on the server.
• If you are still using older versions of Microsoft Entra Connect, Microsoft will continue to provide support. However, the services may stop working unexpectedly.
• If you are using an external SQL database for a previous version, recommended to upgrade to the latest SQL server.
• After upgrading the Microsoft Entra Connect instance to V2, the SQL 2012 components will not be automatically removed.
• You can enjoy all the benefits of this feature free of charge, and it’s already included in your Azure subscription. You only need a Microsoft Entra ID P1 license to take full advantage of Entra Connect Health.

Are you curious about Microsoft Entra Connect?

Here are some amazing features of Microsoft Entra Connect:

Password hash synchronization: It’s a cool sign-in method. It syncs a hash of your on-premises AD password with your Microsoft Entra ID. This makes it super easy and secure to access all your Microsoft apps and services without remembering multiple passwords.

Pass-through authentication: It’s a hassle-free way to use the same password for both on-premises and cloud-based services. It doesn’t need the extra infrastructure of a federated environment.

Federation integration: It is an excellent feature of Microsoft Entra Connect. This feature lets you set up a hybrid environment using your on-premises AD FS infrastructure. It also offers AD FS management capabilities like certificate renewal and the ability to deploy extra AD FS servers.

Synchronization: Managing user identities and groups in your organization can be quite a challenging task. However, it is also an important one! You must ensure that all identity information for your on-premises users and groups is synchronized with the cloud. This includes password hashes. It’s a lot of responsibility. With the right tools and strategies, you can easily create and manage users and groups like a pro!

Health Monitoring: It is a cool feature offering a powerful monitoring solution. With Microsoft Entra Connect Health, you can keep a close eye on the health of your system. It gives you a centralized view of all the monitoring activities. It’s a fantastic feature that you can access from the Microsoft Entra admin centre.

Have you heard about Microsoft Entra Connect Health?

This powerful tool lets you easily oversee key identity components. It ensures a reliable connection to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Online Services. The best part is that you can access all the essential data points through the Microsoft Entra Connect Health portal. Everything is in one convenient location. This tool has got you covered from alerts to performance monitoring to usage analytics. Stop juggling multiple health reports. Embrace the simplicity of a single lens of health for your key identity components!

Are you still wondering why Microsoft Entra Connect?

Have you ever felt you have to juggle multiple identities just to access all the resources you need at work? It can be exhausting and time-consuming. It is especially frustrating when you can’t remember which identity to use for which application!

The good news is that Microsoft Entra ID is here to make your life easier. By integrating your on-premises directories with Entra ID, you’ll have a common identity. This identity will work for both your on-premises applications and cloud services like Microsoft 365.

And the best part is you only need one tool for deployment and sign-in. No more confusing setup processes or remembering which tool to use for which scenario. Microsoft Entra Connect has the latest capabilities to ensure you’re getting the best experience possible. Say goodbye to older identity integration tools like DirSync, Azure AD Sync, and Azure AD Connect. Entra Connect has got you covered.

Looking for a reliable way to keep your on-premises identity infrastructure health in check?

Microsoft Entra ID helps you. Use it if you are tired of managing multiple identities for your cloud and on-premises resources. It provides a common identity for your users to access cloud and on-premises resources, making them more productive.

However, ensuring the environment is reliable can be a challenge. That’s why Microsoft Entra Connect Health comes to your aid! It helps monitor and gain insights into your on-premises identity infrastructure, ensuring the reliability of this environment. And guess what! It’s as simple as installing an agent on each of your on-premises identity servers. But wait, there’s more! Microsoft Entra Connect Health supports AD FS on Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016. It also supports Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022.

It even supports monitoring the web application proxy servers that offer authentication support for extranet access. The Health Agent is easy and quick to install. Microsoft Entra Connect Health for AD FS provides you with a set of key capabilities. You will be amazed by how easy it is to manage your on-premises identity infrastructure like never before!