Azure AD Connect cloud sync supported topologies and scenarios

This article describes various on-premises and Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) topologies that use Azure AD Connect cloud sync. This article includes only supported configurations and scenarios.

Important

Microsoft doesn't support modifying or operating Azure AD Connect cloud sync outside of the configurations or actions that are formally documented. Any of these configurations or actions might result in an inconsistent or unsupported state of Azure AD Connect cloud sync. As a result, Microsoft can't provide technical support for such deployments.

For more information see the following video.

Things to remember about all scenarios and topologies

The following is a list of information to keep in mind when selecting a solution.

  • Users and groups must be uniquely identified across all forests
  • Matching across forests does not occur with cloud sync
  • A user or group must be represented only once across all forests
  • The source anchor for objects is chosen automatically. It uses ms-DS-ConsistencyGuid if present, otherwise ObjectGUID is used.
  • You cannot change the attribute that is used for source anchor.

Single forest, single Azure AD tenant

Diagram that shows the topology for a single forest and a single tenant.

The simplest topology is a single on-premises forest, with one or multiple domains, and a single Azure AD tenant. For an example of this scenario see Tutorial: A single forest with a single Azure AD tenant

Multi-forest, single Azure AD tenant

Topology for a multi-forest and a single tenant

A common topology is a multiple AD forests, with one or multiple domains, and a single Azure AD tenant.

Existing forest with Azure AD Connect, new forest with cloud Provisioning

Diagram that shows the topology for an existing forest and a new forest.

This scenario is topology is similar to the multi-forest scenario, however this one involves an existing Azure AD Connect environment and then bringing on a new forest using Azure AD Connect cloud sync. For an example of this scenario see Tutorial: An existing forest with a single Azure AD tenant

Piloting Azure AD Connect cloud sync in an existing hybrid AD forest

Topology for a single forest and a single tenant The piloting scenario involves the existence of both Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync in the same forest and scoping the users and groups accordingly. NOTE: An object should be in scope in only one of the tools.

For an example of this scenario see Tutorial: Pilot Azure AD Connect cloud sync in an existing synced AD forest

Next steps