Pre-requisites to configure the back-synchronization:

  • The hybrid environment must have Azure AD Connect installed and configured.

  • The user account used to perform back sync configuration must have the following privileges:

    • User Administrator
    • Exchange Administrator
    • Application Administrator
  • The Windows Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) module version 2.0.0.131 or later must be installed for the backsync feature to work successfully.

  • Directory Writers Role must be enabled in Azure Active Directory. To enable the role use the following script:

    $psCred=Get-Credential

    Connect-AzureAD -Credential $psCred

    $roleTemplate = Get-AzureADDirectoryRoleTemplate | ? { $_.DisplayName -eq "Directory Writers" }

    # Enable an instance of the DirectoryRole template

    Enable-AzureADDirectoryRole -RoleTemplateId $roleTemplate.ObjectId

  • For the back-synchronization to work as expected, the user in ARS must have write permissions for edsvaAzureOffice365Enabled, edsaAzureContactObjectId and edsvaAzureObjectID. The user must also have a local administrator privileges where the ARS synchronization service is running.

To configure Azure backsync in Active Roles Synchronization Service

  1. In the upper right corner of the Synchronization Service Administration Console, select Settings | Configure Azure BackSync.

    The Configure BackSync operation in Azure with on-premises Active Directory objects dialog box is displayed.

  2. In the dialog box that opens:

    1. Enter the Azure domain valid Account ID credentials, and click Test Office 365 Connection.

    2. Specify whether you want to use a proxy server for the connection. You can select one of the following options:

    • Use WinHTTP settings: Causes the connector to use the proxy server settings configured for Windows HTTP Services (WinHTTP).

    • Automatically detect: Automatically detects and uses proxy server settings.

    • Do not use proxy settings: Specifies to not use proxy server for the connection.

    On successful validation, the success message that the Office 365 Connection settings are valid is displayed.

    1. Enter the valid Active Roles account details and click Test Active Roles Connection.

      On successful validation the success message that the Active Roles connection settings are valid is displayed.

  1. Click Configure BackSync.

    The Azure App registration is done automatically. The required connections, mappings, and workflow steps are created automatically.

    On successful configuration the success message is displayed.

    If the Azure BackSync settings are already configured in the system, a warning message is displayed to confirm if you want to override the existing backsync settings with the new settings. If yes, click Override BackSync Settings. Else, click Cancel to retain the existing settings.