Azure AD Sync Tool Replaced

Azure AD (AAD) Connect became generally available in June 2015 and is now the recommended tool for performing synchronization between an on-premises Active Directory instance and an AAD tenancy, as used by Office 365. AAD Connect synchronizes user accounts and other objects between on-premises AD and AAD, simplifying tasks such as user provisioning and password management. When AAD Connect was announced, Microsoft’s earlier AAD synchronization tool, DirSync, was officially deprecated, and DirSync is not expected to receive future updates. AAD Connect also replaces the stand-alone AAD Sync tool, which was available for a brief period of time.

Identity Manager, Microsoft’s software for more advanced identity management, remains in preview and will likely arrive in the third quarter of 2015. Identity Manager can synchronize AAD with third-party directories and multiple AD forests and do other identity management tasks that might be required by large organizations. Identity Manager is expected to use AAD Connect internally for AAD and AD synchronization. Identity Manager replaces Forefront Identity Manager (FIM) and will be offered with AAD Premium, the top tier of the AAD service, as FIM is now.