Share via

Is Azure AD a IaaS, SaaS, or a combination of both?

Kevin Compateso MS1100090193‎ 20 Reputation points
2023-06-02T19:17:06.8966667+00:00

I've been trying to get to the bottom of this and can't find the real definitive answer anywhere. Personally, I'm leaning towards Azure AD is a SaaS service like Exchange Online. This is because your able to control and configure AD, but not Domain Controllers, FSMO Roles, Replication, extending the Schema, etc. (that is if Azure AD has them like AD DS). However, I also believe Identity Management and Authentication is a REQUIRED feature and service to any system, which should sit in the Infrastructure side. This is why I also considered Azure AD to be a combination of both. What say you all....?

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Entra | Microsoft Entra ID
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Dillon Silzer 60,836 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-06-03T03:46:20.5233333+00:00

    Hello Kevin,

    Azure AD is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). IaaS would imply that you can host your own services on Microsoft/Azure's AAD infrastructure (which you can't). Another point is you have 0 patching to do. In a IaaS environment, you are responsible for patching and upgrading software. Microsoft takes care of this for you and you don't have to know any thing going on behind the scenes.

    For more information on Azure Active Directory you can read:

    What is Azure Active Directory?

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/fundamentals/active-directory-whatis

    If this is helpful please accept answer.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

0 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.