Essentials 2016 Dashboard, Entra Connect, and O365 integration.

Question

I will be migrating to EOL and O365 apps from Exchange 2016. I will be maintaining the Server Essentials 2016 server onsite with a Modern Hybrid 2019 server (for about 6 months at least).

To facilitate this move I will be installing Entra Connect Sync on a separate 2019 server. I plan on keeping Entra Connect, as I am pretty sure I will not be able to choose the OUs to sync with the Essentials connector, and I don't want a lot of garbage cluttering up Entra/M365. I would also like to keep Entra connect for the possibility we will move other services to the cloud in a couple of years when it is time for 2016 to end of life.

Is my assumption that I cannot choose the OUs to sync with the Essentials Azure AD connector right?

Can I connect the other M365/O365 services without the Essentials Azure AD connector?

Is there any benefit other than a unified interface for creating and managing users within the dashboard?

I know I can create and assign licenses and services for the users after they have synced to the M365/Entra AD. It is a separate and extra step to manage them there, but I don't want to clutter up M365 with useless groups and template users unless I absolutely have to.

Answer 1

Entra Connect allows you to selectively sync specific OUs, with Windows Server Essentials Azure AD Connector you cannot.

Yes, you can integrate m365 services without using the Essentials Connector. Entra Connect will handle user synchronization, and you can manage everything from within the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and Entra ID.

I will recommend you Use Entra Connect for synchronization as it offers better customization options, especially with selecting OUs and controlling which objects sync.

See: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/how-to-connect-post-installation?source=recommendations

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Regards,

Abiola