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I just have two questions. After reading a the document below from Microsoft, we are likely to choose scenerio 2 and keep one or two Exchange servers on premise for management only. But, what I don't understand is:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/decommission-on-premises-exchange
1) Do these Exchange servers still need a license or is there a version of Exchange that is cheaper or free specifically for this purpose?
2) If you went the route of scenerio 1, and remove ADSync and your Exchange environment, how does AzureAD stay up-to-date with your on-premise AD controllers?
The administration of a hybrid deployment that connects on-premises Exchange Server with Exchange Online, enabling seamless integration and centralized control.
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For your second question:
Disable directory synchronization for your tenants. When this step is completed, all user management tasks will be done from the Microsoft 365 or Office 365 management tools. And when you turn off directory synchronization and your synchronized users are converted to cloud-only.
If you still need AzureAD stay up-to-date with your on-premise AD controllers, scenerio 1 will not be your choice.
Since all of the users will be managed in Microsoft 365 or Office 365, and there are no additional directory synchronization requirements, you can safely disable directory synchronization and remove Exchange from the on-premises environment.
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So, in this scenario, If you get rid of ADSync and on-board a new user, do you need to create them in your on-premise AND online?
If you get rid of the sync, then everything is managed in 365 and you wont be able to keep things in sync from on-prem. I wouldnt do this unless you are sure that is what you want.
Yea, I don't believe it is. I'm just curious for those who do how they operate. I feel like I am not seeing how it works. Do they just not have on-premise domain controllers? Are all their servers in the cloud and workstations connect to the cloud for auth etc? Or do they run a split-brain scenerio managing on-prem and online seperately? Or is there another auth method I am not thinking of (highly likely).
Yep all cloud based auth and processes. Not something alot of legacy orgs can consider or migrate to just yet :)
Do suggestions below help and do you have any other concern about this question?
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Don't know yet. Still working through documentation
Answer accepted by question author
Yes, if you are using Exchange 2011/13/16 , you can use a free hybrid license:
https://www.pei.com/free-hybrid-exchange-license/
If you are using Exch 2019, you need to license the servers:
