Azure AD Pass-through – On-premises authentication in the cloud

Introduction

In today’s business landscape, organizations are increasingly adopting cloud-based solutions to streamline operations and boost productivity. Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), a robust cloud-based identity and access management solution by Microsoft, offers various authentication methods. One of these methods is Azure AD Pass-through Authentication, which enables seamless authentication between on-premises and cloud environments. This article guides you through the process of configuring Azure AD Pass-through Authentication and highlights its benefits.

What is Azure AD Pass-through Authentication?

Azure AD Pass-through Authentication is a feature of Azure AD Connect that allows users to sign in to Azure AD using the same credentials they use for on-premises Active Directory. It eliminates the need to synchronize passwords to the cloud or deploy additional infrastructure components like Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS). With Pass-through Authentication, the user’s password is validated against the on-premises Active Directory, ensuring a secure and seamless authentication experience.

Benefits of Azure AD Pass-through Authentication

1. Enhanced security: By leveraging on-premises Active Directory for password validation, Azure AD Pass-through Authentication eliminates the need to store passwords in the cloud, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
2. Simplified administration: Pass-through Authentication allows administrators to manage password policies and resets from the on-premises Active Directory, providing a centralized and familiar interface for user management.
3. Seamless user experience: Users can utilize their on-premises credentials to access Azure AD-integrated applications and services without the need for separate usernames and passwords. This enhances productivity and reduces user frustration.
4. Lower infrastructure requirements: Azure AD Pass-through Authentication does not require the deployment of additional infrastructure components like ADFS, reducing complexity and infrastructure costs.

Configuring Azure AD Pass-through Authentication

Before configuring Azure AD Pass-through Authentication, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

1. An Azure AD tenant with a subscription.
2. An on-premises Active Directory environment.
3. Azure AD Connect installed on a server with network connectivity to both Azure AD and the on-premises Active Directory.

Follow these steps to configure Azure AD Pass-through Authentication:

Step 1: Install Azure AD Connect

1. Download Azure AD Connect from the Microsoft website.
2. Run the installation wizard and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. During the installation, choose the “Customize” option to select the Pass-through Authentication feature.

Step 2: Configure Azure AD Pass-through Authentication

1. Launch the Azure AD Connect configuration wizard.
2. Sign in with an account that has appropriate permissions.
3. Select the “Pass-through Authentication” option and follow the prompts to configure the necessary settings, such as choosing the authentication agents and specifying the on-premises account for connectivity.

Step 3: Validate Azure AD Pass-through Authentication

After the configuration is complete, validate Azure AD Pass-through Authentication by signing in to Azure AD using an on-premises account. Ensure that the authentication requests are being redirected to the on-premises environment and the user is successfully authenticated.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues with Azure AD Pass-through Authentication, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure network connectivity between Azure AD Connect and the on-premises Active Directory.
2. Verify that the necessary firewall rules are in place to allow communication between Azure AD Connect and Azure AD.
3. Check the event logs on the Azure AD Connect server for any error messages related to Pass-through Authentication.
4. Validate that the on-premises accounts are synchronized correctly with Azure AD.

Conclusion

Configuring Azure AD Pass-through Authentication provides organizations with a seamless and secure authentication mechanism between on-premises and cloud environments. By leveraging the existing on-premises Active Directory infrastructure, organizations can enhance security, simplify administration, and deliver a seamless user experience. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, organizations can easily configure Azure AD Pass-through Authentication and unlock the benefits of this powerful feature.

If you want to take a look at Azure AD Connect health: Troubleshooting hybrid identity scenarios, visit the link.

FAQs

1. Can I use Azure AD Pass-through Authentication with any Azure AD subscription?
   • Yes, Azure AD Pass-through Authentication is available for all Azure AD editions, including the free edition.
2. Do I need to deploy additional servers for Azure AD Pass-through Authentication?
   • No, Azure AD Pass-through Authentication does not require additional servers. It leverages the existing on-premises Active Directory infrastructure.
3. Can I use Azure AD Pass-through Authentication for multi-factor authentication?
   • Yes, Azure AD Pass-through Authentication can be used in conjunction with Azure Multi-Factor Authentication for enhanced security.
4. Can I revert to password hash synchronization if needed?
   • Yes, you can switch between Azure AD Pass-through Authentication and password hash synchronization as needed without losing any user data or configurations.
5. Are there any additional costs associated with Azure AD Pass-through Authentication?
   • No, Azure AD Pass-through Authentication is included as part of Azure AD Connect and does not incur any additional costs.