Enterprise Network Consulting
Microsoft Active Directory and Azure AD Help:
Planning, Deployment, and Troubleshooting
Active Directory and Azure Active Directory Support
Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft's core identity management and directory service for on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid networks. On-premises Active Directory enables centralized single-sign-on (SSO) for applications and services and supports infrastructure components such as DNS, DHCP, IPsec, Wi-Fi, NPS, and VPN. When on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is installed on a server, that server can be promoted to a domain controller for domain management with support for Group Policy, fine-grained password policy, Active Directory Admin Center, and other features.
Azure Active Directory is Microsoft's cloud-based Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) solution for identity, access management, and security. Azure AD allows you to register users, groups, apps, and devices with Azure to enable SSO access to apps and Office 365 accounts. With the Azure AD Connect application installed on-premises, you can sync local usernames and passwords up to Azure AD to support a hybrid network model.
For two decades, Progent has delivered expertise for all releases of Active Directory and Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), providing the knowledge and experience needed to design, deploy, and troubleshoot complex AD deployments across an enterprise.
Deploying Hybrid Networks with Azure Active Directory Domain Services
Applications slated for moving to the cloud might depend on traditional AD domain features like Group Policy, Domain Join, LDAP, or Kerberos/NTLM authentication. Updating application code to use native Azure AD services can be difficult even if you have source code. But you cannot deploy a VM in Azure for running an AD DS domain controller without a site-to-site connection like VPN. Azure AD Domain Services (Azure AD DS) solves this problem by allowing you to create a managed domain in an Azure VM to support traditional authentication methods and features.
Azure AD DS lets you implement a managed domain in Azure to provide legacy authentication methods and features. Azure AD Connect allows you to synchronize your on-premises AD users and groups to Azure AD and then synchronize in the cloud from Azure AD to Azure AD DS. You can then deploy a server on your Azure virtual network, install AD DS tools, and connect to the managed domain.
This hybrid deployment model allows on-premises accounts to have the same usernames and passwords as they do in Azure and so delivers a consistent experience for apps, services, and users. Azure takes care of patching and administering the managed domain controller's network resources and synchronization engine and maintaining high availability. Your legacy apps can authenticate against the managed domain, and you can administer an AD DS managed domain using familiar tools like Active Directory Admin Center or MMC snap-ins like DNS or Group Policy.
Special Features of Azure AD
Azure AD provides identity and security management for cloud resources including Microsoft 365, the Azure portal, and various Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. Azure AD offers a growing list of cloud-based identity and access management features unavailable with on-premises versions of Active Directory. These innovations include:
- Support for multi-factor authentication (MFA) and passwordless identity technologies such as FIDO2
- Ability for SaaS apps that support OAuth2, SAML, and WS-* authentication to utilize Azure AD authentication
- Integration with Microsoft Intune for mobile device management and the ability to evaluate mobile device state information during authentication. (On-premises AD requires third-party solutions to support mobile devices.)
- Entitlement management for automating access request workflows, access assignments, reviews, and lifecycles. Entitlement management streamlines at scale the process of managing access to groups, apps, and SharePoint Online sites for internal and external users.
- Azure AD managing roles can be enhanced with Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for just-in-time, time-bound, or workflow-based access to privileged roles. PIM allows you to require approval to activate privileged roles, receive notifications when privileged roles are activated, use justification to understand why users activate privileged roles, and conduct access reviews to determine whether users still need roles.
Progent's Microsoft-certified AD consultants offer expertise in planning, testing, deploying, managing, and debugging Active Directory solutions for Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2012 R2. Progent can also help you maintain a legacy edition of Active Directory or migrate efficiently to a modern version. Progent's Microsoft Azure experts can help you design and carry out an efficient migration from an on-premises deployment of Active Directory to cloud-hosted Azure AD or to a hybrid model that unifies identity management across on-premises and cloud resources. Progent can also provide Cisco-certified network infrastructure engineers to help you enhance the performance and resilience of your network infrastructure. In addition, Progent's CISA, CISM, GIAC, and CISSP certified security professionals can evaluate your enterprise-wide security and compliance and recommend improvements appropriate for a large-scale, multi-site environment.
Online and on-site consulting services available from Progent's Active Directory and Microsoft Azure experts include:
- Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants have extensive experience troubleshooting complex Active Directory issues such as replication problems, multi-domain partition configurations, corrupted AD objects, clean-up of legacy beta software configuration objects in production AD environment, and repair of failed installations of AD and AD-integrated applications. Progent is also skilled in using 'expert only' AD tools such as ADSIEDIT, NTDSUTIL, DCDIAG and NETDIAG.
- Progent can help you deploy Azure AD Connect to implement a hybrid identity solution with Active Directory. Progent can show you when and how to deploy AD Connect for password hash synchronization, pass-through authentication, and Federation integration using your on-premises AD FS infrastructure.
- Progent offers expertise in designing an enterprise Active Directory environment with multiple locations and can deliver fast, efficient solutions for fault tolerant architecture, placement of servers and services, and AD server roles.
- Progent can design and implement an optimal DNS configuration that correctly handles internal, external and remote users.
- To save clients the cost of expensive reconfigurations that may be required as a result of poor initial decisions, Progent can help make key early decisions concerning Active Directory and Azure AD naming standards, hierarchical model, IT management structure, utilization and structure of Group Policy objects, plus security and auditing definitions. Progent can also anticipate the impacts of server and service configurations on functionality and performance.
- To maximize system robustness and availability, Progent's engineers can help create an Active Directory architecture and provide expert implementation that features enterprise class redundancy, fault tolerance, effective data protection systems, and seamless disaster recovery.
- Progent can diagnose and resolve complex problems concerning workstation, mobile endpoints, and server authentication in an Active Directory or Azure AD environment.
- The specialists in Progent's Experts Team can implement and support applications integrated with Active Directory and Azure AD by providing Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 integration, Microsoft Exchange 2016 planning and deployment, , and Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager expertise.
- Progent can help architect, plan and manage the migration/merging of an acquired entities Active Directory environment into a single AD structure.
- For enhanced security, Progent can provide assistance designing enterprise-wide security policies and procedures and work with Active Directory and Azure AD configuration to implement such policies.
Windows Server 2008 introduced major enhancements to Active Directory including AD Domain Services (formerly AD Directory Services), Lightweight Directory Services (formerly AD Application Mode), Certificate Services, Federation Services, and Rights Management Services. Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 have reached the end of their support lifecycle and should be upgraded to a more current Active Directory solution. Progent can help you maintain your existing deployment of Windows Server 2008 with Active Directory, migrate to a modern equivalent of these products, or plan and implement a hybrid deployment that combines on-premises and Azure versions of Active Directory technology.
Contact Progent for Help with Active Directory and Azure AD
If you are looking for expert help in designing, deploying, optimizing or troubleshooting an Active Directory or Azure AD solution, call Progent at
An index of content::
Automatic Network Topology Mapping Support and Help
Automatic Network Topology Mapping Support and Help
ProSight WAN Watch is an infrastructure monitoring and management service that makes it simple and inexpensive for smaller organizations to map, monitor, optimize and troubleshoot their connectivity hardware like routers and switches, firewalls, and wireless controllers as well as servers, printers, endpoints and other devices. Using state-of-the-art Remote Monitoring and Management technology, ProSight WAN Watch makes sure that network diagrams are kept updated, captures and manages the configuration of virtually all devices on your network, monitors performance, and generates alerts when issues are detected. By automating complex management processes, ProSight WAN Watch can knock hours off ordinary tasks like network mapping, expanding your network, finding devices that require critical software patches, or identifying the cause of performance issues.
OS X Computer Network Consulting company
Best Consultants macOS Phone-based
Progent offers nationwide online technical support and consulting services for businesses who operate macOS and OS X networks or whose information systems include a mix of Apple Mac and Microsoft technology. Progent's engineers can provide macOS and OS X users a variety of IT services including desktop support, migration to the most recent edition of macOS from earlier versions of macOS or OS X, plus expertise with Mac applications. Progent can also assist you with iPhone and iPad integration and management, or moving to iCloud. Online technical support provides maximum leverage for your information technology dollar by protecting user efficiency and shortening the hours billed for network repair services. Advanced online support tools and experienced service specialists and engineers combine to enable Progent to handle most network issues without wasting time and expense by going to your site. In the vast majority of situations your network problems can be remediated by telephone or through a combination of phone help and online network analysis. Progent can put you in touch with Cisco certified CCIE network engineers and CISM and CISSP premier security professionals to help you with the most challenging system issues.
Cybersecurity Inventory Professionals
External Security Inventory Consultant
Progent offers small businesses two low-cost security evaluation packages that include, at a preset fee, remotely administered inventory scans of your network security profile which are analyzed by certified information security specialists who assess the data collected by the scan, present unbiased summaries of your current network security, and offer suggestions for remediation. Progent has developed two complementary network security inventory scanning packages for external and internal scanning that are priced to meet the restricted budgets of small companies while providing enterprise-quality evaluations of your network's vulnerability to attack.
Online Help Aironet
Aironet Ruggedized APs Professionals
Progent's Cisco-certified wireless networking experts can help businesses of any size to design, implement, manage and troubleshoot Cisco Aironet wireless access point environments to provide the performance, coverage, capacity, expandability, security compliance and manageability required for transparent access between Wi-Fi and wired network infrastructure. Progent can provide efficient remote and on-premises consulting services for both legacy and new-generation 802.11ac Aironet APs and Progent can help your business design and maintain deployments of indoor and outdoor/industrial Aironet access points.
WannaCry ransomware recovery Specialist
ransomware removal and restore Technology Professional
Progent's proven ransomware recovery experts can help you to reconstruct an IT network breached by a ransomware crypto-worm like Ryuk, Maze, Sodinokibi, DopplePaymer, Snatch or Egregor.
Top Quality Support Windows 2019
24x7 Windows 2003 Server Configuration
The sophistication and connectivity requirements of Microsoft Windows Servers calls for an IT consulting firm with hands-on experience and in-depth familiarity with designing and building seamless, end-to-end network technology systems. The experience of Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants, which averages more than 10 years working with Microsoft integration, assures you success configuring Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 to align closely with your business objectives. Progent’s IT services can assist you with designing, deploying, administering, and troubleshooting Windows Server systems that maximize the productivity of your computer system. Progent’s consultants can help you with Microsoft Windows 2008 Server, Windows 2003 Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, or Microsoft Windows NT Server as well as Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Vista and other clients.
24-Hour Training Professional Microsoft Excel for Mac
Office Entourage for Mac Instruction
Progent can provide one-on-one education customized for individuals who wish to broaden their knowledge of the macOS and OS X operating system, Mac hardware, or Mac office productivity software including Word, Excel, and Outlook for Mac. Progent also can provide customized group or individual webinar classes for Mac application software.
24x7x365 CCSA Technical Support
GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA) Network Security Consultant
Progent provides customers access to engineers who have been awarded some of the computer industry's most prestigious certifications. Progent believes that clients have the right to know that their IT service providers have accredited testing as well as extensive real-world field experience so that Progent's clients can use Progent's service with trust. In many cases, vendor credentials like the Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts confers priority for significantly better vendor support than is offered to uncertified service providers, enabling Progent to offer clients a higher level of IT support. In other cases, major certifications such as CISM or CISSP for IT security can help corporate customers to demonstrate compliance with regulatory demands by using the assistance of recognized IT professionals.
Cisco DNA Center Configuration
Top Rated Onsite Technical Support Catalyst Wi-Fi Access Point
Progent's Cisco-certified Catalyst Wi-Fi 6 Access Point consultants can provide economical online and on-premises help for Catalyst next-generation Wi-Fi 6 wireless APs.
Consultant System Center 2016 Azure Integration
System Center 2016 Endpoint Protection On-site Technical Support
System Center 2016 provides important improvements for managing hybrid cloud environments through comprehensive integration with Windows Server 2016 servers, Windows 10; seamless integration of heterogeneous environments that include various Linux distributions, Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware; and better cloud support such as closer integration with Microsoft Intune for Apple iPhone and Google Android smartphone management plus built-in integration with Operations Management Suite for cloud-enhanced analytics and reporting. Progent's Microsoft-certified consulting team can provide world-class remote and on-premises support for all components of System Center 2016 including Operations Manager, Configuration Manager (SCCM), Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM), Data Protection Manager (SCDPM), Orchestrator, and Service Manager. Progent can help organizations of any size to plan and install a new implementation of Microsoft System Center 2016, extend or optimize an existing one, upgrade efficiently from an earlier version of System Center, or troubleshoot your System Center solution.
Cisco Virtual Private Network Specialist
Cisco Virtual Private Network Specialist
Progent’s Cisco Security/VPN consultants and CCIE and CCNP certified experts can help your small or mid-size company deploy and maintain Cisco’s security and VPN technology including routers, switches, firewalls, intrusion detection systems and VPN access concentrators. Cisco VPN solutions include both off-site access and site-to-site VPNs with Cisco IOS Software and AIM hardware encryption cards, and hardware appliances, such as a VPN concentrator, router, Cisco PIX Firewall, or dedicated VPN server for dial-up services. Cisco VPN solutions are simple to administer and provide the flexibility to expand with your growing business requirements. Progent’s Cisco-Certified network experts are familiar with Cisco’s comprehensive family of hardware and software targeted at preventing data pilfering, virus and worm outbreaks, Denial of Service attacks, and other security risks to your information system. Progent can show you how to deploy Cisco technology to get secure connectivity, intrusion protection, and comprehensive Identity services based on Cisco Access Control Server using RADIUS security and TACACS to create a central client access control foundation for user authentication, authorization, and accounting from an easy-to-use Web interface.
SharePoint Portal Server 2007 Online Help
After Hours Support and Setup Office SharePoint Server 2007
Progent’s Microsoft-certified experts can provide small and medium sized businesses computer consulting, maintenance, and repair services for Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server 2003. Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server is an advanced portal solution for efficiently connecting people, teams and data. SharePoint Portal Server provides a common spot for your employees or clients to connect to, manage, distribute and interact with useful information, files, and applications and to communicate with other people. It allows quicker and more intelligent decisions, more effective access across groups and more streamlined business practices. The main goal of SharePoint Server is to gather together, in a relevant way, all of the many sources of knowledge accessible within and without a business network. Windows SharePoint Services join employees, clients, teams and major tasks with the data they’ve developed in a manner that makes data convenient to find, retrieve and re-use.
1800 ISR Router Network Consultant
500 Router Setup and Support
Cisco has designed an extensive array of routers that includes routers built to deliver the security, bandwidth, and reliability required by organizations ranging from small offices to global enterprises and ISPs. Cisco routers include support for redundancy, automatic failthrough, and backup power for improved reliability and system uptime. Progent can show you how to select and integrate Cisco routers to establish a reliable foundation for your IT system and to make it easy to grow as you add new users, open new offices, install new services, open your network to customers and partners, and support a more mobile workforce. Progent offers help with a range of routers based on Cisco's IOS platform, including Cisco's 800 series of small business VPN routers, Cisco 2800 and 3800 ISR routers, Cisco 1900 and 2900 G2 Integrated Services Routers, Cisco ASR 1000 and 9000 Aggregation Services Routers for WAN edge environments, CRS Carrier Routing System for the network core, plus legacy 3600 and 3700 Series Routers.
Select Topic: