Azure AD Connect

Evidently, to support Active Directory in Azure – for security and access control requirements – one  has to obtain, install, and configure the Azure AD Connect software on a Windows server (could be a VM) on one’s premises.

See please below the 2 technical notes:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/connect/active-directory-aadconnect-prerequisites

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/connect/active-directory-aadconnect-select-installation

This step requires someone that has global AD Admin. Rights – someone from IT Network Infrastructure.

This tool then acts as a proxy between the site-specific AD and the Azure AD.

Azure AD does not support multiple forests, there is no concept of Forests in Azure AD. It is completely flat.

I also read that the Azure AD Connect does not support LDAP.

While I think setting up a Web application within Azure is not overly complex, I think a full turn-key implementation is more complex as the functionality of the on premise IT Infrastructure needs to be investigated, mapped, and connected to Azure’s capabilities.

In case of multi-site organizations with many sites within the United States and also many sites externally in UK, Germany, Singapore, Angola – each with its own AD Forest – one has 2 choices available to oneself; either leverage Federation or flatten the organization into one Azure AD tenant.

AD Connect is pretty great if you use it for what it was designed for and it supports many different topologies. If it does not fit the customers requirements for some reason then,  "yes", federation using ADFS to Azure is another option.

More Reading:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/connect/active-directory-aadconnect

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/connect/active-directory-aadconnect-topologies

Free Network Scanning Tool

Advanced IP Scanner tool enables one to scan an IP address range for "alive" and/or "dead" addresses, manufacturer's name, MAC address, etc.

Find it @ http://www.radmin.com/products/ipscanner/

Top 10 Free tools for Sys. Admins.

From the July 2011 issue of the Redmond Magazine

10. Disk Space Monitor

http://www.tinyurl.com/Rzrvm77

9. Bulk Password Reset

http://www.tinyurl.com/Lgntax2

8. Windows Service Monitor

http://www.tinyurl.com/Qzh9fog

7. VMware Change Reporter

http://www.tinyurl.com/Kzpc4s3

6. Active Directory Object Restore Wizard

http://www.tinyurl.com/BRces62

5. File Server Change Reporter

http://www.tinyurl.com/ih55n2d

4. Inactive Users Tracker

http://www.tinyurl.com/N56p4n5

3. Password Expiration Notifier

http://www.tinyurl.com/TYe7ak

2. USB Blocker

http://www.tinyurl.com/Zh5a8w8

1. Active Directory Change Reporter

http://www.tinyurl.com/Kf9kn3s

Four more iOS apps for IT

http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2011/030311-gearhead.html

WI-FI Dropping on XP

In case you experience a similar problem: http://community.contractwebdevelopment.com/your-wireless-connection-dropping

Tip: Loading lmhosts File

To load/update the lmhosts file (in : \Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ folder)

Open a Command Windows and type:

NBTStat -R

Server Refresh Savings Estimator

An on-line tool from SUN & Intel which enables one to enter data about existing server environment and evaluate the benefits of replacing aging x86 server technology with the latest generation Sun servers powered by Intel® Xeon® processors. Find it @ https://roianalyst.alinean.com/sunandintel/launch.html

PowerShell 2.0 & WMI

"In anticipation of PowerShell 2.0, Mr. Roboto gives a few pointers on how to get the most out of it -- starting with Windows Management Instrumentation."

Active Directory Troubleshooting

From the July 2009 issue of the Redmond Magazine:

"... top six AD troubleshooting tips. The best thing about these tips is that they're free. That's right: There's no need to buy third-party tools. All the tools noted here are either native to Windows 2003 or in Support Tools or the Resource Kit, and they're surprisingly powerful...."

10 Must-Have Virtualization Tools

http://www.networkworld.com/slideshows/2008/081808-ndc-virtualization-tools.html

Troubleshooting Wireless

In case you ever come across the following symptoms:

The wireless is working on the (Linksys) router & adapter but then it stops working. The signal strength is excellent but cannot pull an IP address.

The suggestion from the site http://forums.techguy.org/networking/588716-solved-connected-router-wireless-but.html worked. You must repair the TCP/IP stack for Windows XP SP2:

1. Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt.
2. Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog
3. Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults: netsh int ip reset reset.log
4. Reboot the machine.

Open Source TCP Sniffing

This is an open source TCP sniffing which has been used with success.

www.ethereal.com/download.html