How to Set Up Azure Active Directory Account

Microsoft is always dedicated to ensuring that individuals can access their computers and perform various tasks. The company established the Windows system to enable its users to launch and run various programs.

As such, it is designed to accommodate other minor programs which perform specified tasks, enabling the use of Microsoft and computers become friendly to several users.

This article focuses on Azure Active Directory Connect and its functions. Also, this article will enlighten the user on how to set up Azure AD connect in a computer, or any other device designed to use Windows system to run.

But first, one must understand Azure AD Connect, thereby understand its function. By understanding the primary functions, one will automatically be able to understand the various installation steps and their essentially to smooth running of the program.

BACKGROUND

Azure AD Connect is one of the main components of Microsoft, dedicated to synchronization of identities data between a device and the entire Microsoft environment. The program is designed to enable the user to configure and deploy the pre-requisites required for connection such as including synchronization and sign on.

Also, it has incorporated functionalities such as Dirsyn and AAD sync which were initially released as individual programs. Once installed by an administrator, the program will install a few essential programs such as .NET Framework and Microsoft Online Service Sign-in assistant, which are necessary for its functioning.

Thereafter, it installs and configures AAD sync, then necessitate sync in the Azure AD tenant. Lastly, it sets up the password harsh sync to create a sign-on option as selected by the administrator.

MODES OF INSTALLATION

Azure AD Connect may be installed in two primary ways, custom installation and express installation, depending on the preferences of the user.

Express installation is the default setting found in a newly-acquired program. This form of installation is designed for new users that are not yet conversant with the program. It provides the user with the basic installation tools.

Custom installation, on the other hand, is mainly implemented by users who are accustomed to the program and require certain functions that may not be accessible via express installation. Custom installation enables the user to implement various options that are not readily accommodated by the usual installation.

Express Installation

1. Sign in as the local administrator on the server where you will be installing Azure AD Connect on. The administrator authorizes installation of all programs on the computer. One then allows the installation of the program, particularly on the server that one wishes to be the main sync server.
2. Navigate and locate AzureADConnect.msi then double click on it. This will display a welcome home screen bearing the terms and conditions clause. Check off the Agree option, and select Continue.
3. At the bottom of the window, you’ll be presented with two options: customize and use express setting. Since we are using the Express option, hit the use express setting button.
4. A window will pop up, prompting for the username and password of the global administrator for your company’s Azure AD. Key in the correct details then hit Next.
5. The AD DS screen window will then pop up, prompting for the username and password of the organization’s admin account. For the username text field, enter the domain in either FQDN or NetBIOS format (i.e. pnl.co.uk\administrator or PNL\administrator). Ensure that every domain present in the next page is verified and once they are, hit Next.
6. Next up with be install screen. Click on install and commence the synchronization process till every element is fully configured. In case there is exchange on-premise, one must enable the Exchange Hybrid Employment. Lastly, click on the Install option and hit Exit once everything is installed.
7. Sign off, then sign back in again prior to using the Synchronization Manager.

Custom Installation

The initial process to custom install this program is not so different from the express installation. A user may opt to use custom install setting when the options provided by the express settings are not satisfactory to the user.

1. Follow steps 1 & 2 for express installation, then for step 3, select the customize option.
2. Proceed to install required components for the optional configurations. There are four options provided on this screen.
a. Password Hash synchronization
b. Passthrough authentication
c. Federation with AD DS
d. Do not configure
For the first three, users have the ability to sign in to Microsoft cloud services, such as Office 365, with the same password they use for signing in to their on-premise accounts. Select your preferred option and proceed to check off the Enable single sign-on box.
3. Next, you’ll see the Connect to Azure AD screen and be prompted for the global Azure AD admins username and password. In case the administrative account has multi-factor authentication enabled, ensure to verify it using a verification code that is sent either via a phone call or message.
4. Once the option is enabled, a connect to directory screen will pop up. Select the Active Directory option and add a forest name necessary credentials.
5. After this, an option for add directory will appear with two choices — create a new account and use an existing account. One then uses the necessary credentials for the account and proceeds to the Azure AD sign-in configuration. All the options presented on this screen must be verified. If not, one would have to verify them then just refresh the screen. Then select a suitable under principal name then click on Next.
6. Other options such as the domain and OU filtering must also be filled. This option allows the user to either synchronize all domains or synchronize only selected domains.
7. Select uniquely the user for the program. There are two options present here — users are represented only once across all directories or the user identities exist across multiple directories. Also, one must select how the users need to be identified.
8. Proceed with synchronization of data for various users and devices then hit Next.
9. An option feature screen will pop up. Select the appropriate options according to the desired preference.
10. Then, an option for available apps within the Azure AD will pop up. Just choose all the suitable apps then hit Next.
11. Select the necessary directory extension, then move on to configure and install the program. Just like for express installation, just put in the proper forest credentials to enable the sign on option.