This project simulates a real-world onboarding scenario for a small-to-medium business beginning its transition from a traditional on-premises Windows Server Active Directory environment to the Microsoft cloud ecosystem. Using Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync, it demonstrates how lightweight identity synchronization can enable secure Microsoft 365 sign-ins without requiring the complexity of full Azure AD Connect (now Connect Sync).
The project models a facsimile deployment at Level 1 — focused on understanding the business case, core architectural components, and introductory configuration requirements for Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync.
- A regional accounting firm with on-premises Active Directory infrastructure
- Seeks to enable Microsoft 365 access using cloud identity
- Has a small IT team with minimal customization needs
- Chooses Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync to begin its hybrid identity journey
This mirrors a very common real-world scenario for SMBs looking to modernize access management while avoiding high implementation overhead.
- Understand the role of Cloud Sync vs. Connect Sync
- Identify core components: AD Domain Controllers, sync agents, Microsoft Entra ID
- Map out the cloud-first synchronization flow
- Simulate key setup phases using facsimile architecture
- Develop a mental model for hybrid identity orchestration
entra_cloud_sync.ipynb: Core Jupyter notebook simulating project designdiagram.png: Visual layout of sync architecture and data flowREADME.md: This project overview and roadmap
| Level | Focus Area | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Orientation & Business Fit | Understand when and why to use Entra Cloud Sync |
| Level 2 | Technical Configuration | Deep dive into firewall rules, sync agents, attribute mapping, logs |
| Level 3 | Custom Use Cases | Explore exclusions, OUs, attribute transformations |
| Level 4 | Troubleshooting & Monitoring | Simulate failures, alerting, diagnostics |
| Level 5 | Migration & Advanced Integration | Migrate to/from Connect Sync, integrate with Defender, Conditional Access, Identity Governance |
This project is part of a larger effort to build a multi-level, facsimile-driven knowledge base for cloud identity, detection engineering, and Microsoft security architecture. Each level adds new complexity while grounding concepts in practical context and business relevance.
The long-term goal is to create a repeatable framework for mastering identity solutions through simulation, inquiry, and layered technical depth — without relying on unstable lab configurations.
- Proceed to Level 2 by detailing each configuration step
- Introduce synthetic logs and telemetry simulation
- Expand project series to include Microsoft Entra Connect Sync for comparison