What's the difference between Entra Connect Sync and Cloud Sync?
Entra Connect Sync (the older one with SQL and local install) is full-featured. Cloud Sync is lighter, agent-based, multi-forest by default, but still missing some features. For new SMB environments: usually Cloud Sync.
Try this first
- 1Inventory features you use: device write-back, group write-back, password write-back, Exchange hybrid. Cloud Sync supports more over time but not 100%.
- 2For pure user sync without Exchange hybrid and without advanced filtering, Cloud Sync is simpler, two agents for HA, no SQL.
- 3For multi-forest or complex filtering, Cloud Sync has become easier; legacy Connect Sync was messy here.
- 4Migration from Connect Sync to Cloud Sync can be staged: Microsoft documents 'side-by-side' with soft-match on user attributes.
- 5Plan a sync-cycle test: create a user on-prem, check Entra after a few minutes. Create a group in Entra, see how write-back behaves.
When to bring us in
For Exchange Hybrid (migrating on-prem mailboxes to Online), Connect Sync runs smoothest. Cloud Sync supports it but is less configurable. For ongoing hybrid: stick with Connect Sync.
See also
- One DC or two DCs for an SMB office?Two is almost always the right answer; one DC is a single point of failure for logon, DNS and GPOs.
- Should I split FSMO roles across two DCs?For a small domain all on one DC is fine; with two DCs splitting is tidier but not required.
- How do I know my AD replication is healthy?Replication errors creep in silently; they only surface when logins or GPOs misbehave.
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