Migrate Azure Ad Connect To New Server
Azure AD Connect is the tool use to connect on-premises directory service with Azure AD. It allows users to use same on-premises ID and passwords to authenticate in to Azure AD, Office 365 or other Applications hosted in Azure. Azure AD connect can install on any server if its meets following,. The AD forest functional level must be Windows Server 2003 or later.
If you plan to use the feature password writeback, then the Domain Controllers must be on Windows Server 2008 (with latest SP) or later. If your DCs are on 2008 (pre-R2), then you must also apply hotfix KB2386717. The domain controller used by Azure AD must be writable. It is not supported to use a RODC (read-only domain controller) and Azure AD Connect does not follow any write redirects. It is not supported to use on-premises forests/domains using SLDs (Single Label Domains). It is not supported to use on-premises forests/domains using 'dotted' (name contains a period '.'
Azure Ad Connect Sync
) NetBios names. Azure AD Connect cannot be installed on Small Business Server or Windows Server Essentials.
Aad Connect Swing Migration
The server must be using Windows Server standard or better. The Azure AD Connect server must have a full GUI installed. It is not supported to install on server core. Azure AD Connect must be installed on Windows Server 2008 or later. This server may be a domain controller or a member server when using express settings. If you use custom settings, then the server can also be stand-alone and does not have to be joined to a domain.
Azure Ad Connect Server 2016
If you install Azure AD Connect on Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, then make sure to apply the latest hotfixes from Windows Update. Microsoft introduced the staging mode of Azure AD connect to overcome above challenges. With staging mode, it allows you to maintain another copy of Azure AD connect instance in another server. It can have same config as primary server. It will connect to Azure AD and receive changes and keep a latest copy to make sure the switch over is seamless as possible.
However, it will not sync Azure AD connect configuration from primary server. It is engineer’s responsibility to update staging server AD connect configuration, if primary server AD connects config modified.