You need to design a solution to synchronize on-premises Active Directory users to Microsoft Entra ID for hybrid identity. Which tool should you use?
Trap 1: Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM)
MIM is an identity and access management solution that automates lifecycle workflows, self-service, and access certification, and it does include a Synchronization Service. However, it is designed for complex, customized provisioning scenarios such as HR-driven attribute distribution or multi-forest integration, not as the standard, recommended tool for routinely synchronizing a single on-premises Active Directory forest to Entra ID. Microsoft's default sync utility for that is Entra Connect, making MIM an over-engineered and rarely-correct choice for this requirement.
Trap 2: Microsoft Entra Connect Cloud Sync
Microsoft Entra Connect Cloud Sync uses a lightweight agent to sync users and groups, and it's especially useful for merging multiple disconnected forests or replacing existing sync solutions in branch environments. However, it is not the general-purpose default for a typical on-premises AD to Entra ID deployment; Microsoft recommends Entra Connect for common scenarios that require a single, feature-complete sync engine. Cloud Sync lacks some advanced capabilities like device writeback and is intended for specific topologies, so it's incorrect here.
Trap 3: Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
AD FS is a federation service that authenticates users by forwarding their claims to trusted relying parties, enabling single sign-on for web applications across organizational boundaries. It does not replicate directory objects, passwords, or groups; it only processes authentication requests. Therefore, it cannot synchronize on-premises AD to Entra ID and is fundamentally a different identity technology built for federated access, not directory synchronization.
- A
Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM)
Why wrong: MIM is an identity and access management solution that automates lifecycle workflows, self-service, and access certification, and it does include a Synchronization Service. However, it is designed for complex, customized provisioning scenarios such as HR-driven attribute distribution or multi-forest integration, not as the standard, recommended tool for routinely synchronizing a single on-premises Active Directory forest to Entra ID. Microsoft's default sync utility for that is Entra Connect, making MIM an over-engineered and rarely-correct choice for this requirement.
- B
Microsoft Entra Connect
Microsoft Entra Connect is the primary, purpose-built tool for synchronizing on-premises Active Directory identities to Microsoft Entra ID. It replicates user, group, and device objects, and supports password hash synchronization, pass-through authentication, and federation integration. As the successor to DirSync and Azure AD Sync, it's the standard first-party solution for hybrid identity, and it is the correct choice when a straightforward, sanctioned sync mechanism is required.
- C
Microsoft Entra Connect Cloud Sync
Why wrong: Microsoft Entra Connect Cloud Sync uses a lightweight agent to sync users and groups, and it's especially useful for merging multiple disconnected forests or replacing existing sync solutions in branch environments. However, it is not the general-purpose default for a typical on-premises AD to Entra ID deployment; Microsoft recommends Entra Connect for common scenarios that require a single, feature-complete sync engine. Cloud Sync lacks some advanced capabilities like device writeback and is intended for specific topologies, so it's incorrect here.
- D
Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Why wrong: AD FS is a federation service that authenticates users by forwarding their claims to trusted relying parties, enabling single sign-on for web applications across organizational boundaries. It does not replicate directory objects, passwords, or groups; it only processes authentication requests. Therefore, it cannot synchronize on-premises AD to Entra ID and is fundamentally a different identity technology built for federated access, not directory synchronization.