Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator AssociateImplement and manage hybrid identitiesMedium

A company is implementing Azure AD Connect and wants to ensure that all user objects synchronized from their on-premises Active Directory to Azure AD have a unique and immutable identifier. Which attribute is automatically used by Azure AD Connect for this purpose, assuming default configuration?

  1. Amail
  2. BobjectGUID
  3. CsAMAccountName
  4. DuserPrincipalName
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. objectGUID

By default, Azure AD Connect uses the on-premises Active Directory 'objectGUID' attribute as the source anchor (immutable ID) for user objects synchronized to Azure AD. This ensures a globally unique and unchanging identifier for each object.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. mail is an email address, which can change and is not guaranteed to be unique.
  • C. sAMAccountName is unique within a domain but not globally unique and can change.
  • D. userPrincipalName is used for sign-in but can change and is not immutable.

Azure AD Connect Source Anchor

A unique, immutable attribute chosen from on-premises Active Directory that Azure AD Connect uses to identify a synchronized object over its lifetime in Azure AD.

  • Crucial for maintaining object identity during synchronization and across forests.
  • Default attribute for users is 'objectGUID'.
  • Once set, it should not be changed without careful planning.

Memory trick: The 'anchor' must be 'unique' and 'never change'.

More Implement and manage hybrid identities questions