Which tool is used to sync identities between Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)?

Azure AD Connect is the tool specifically designed for syncing identities between Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). It enables a hybrid identity solution, allowing organizations to synchronize their on-premises directory with Azure AD, ensuring that users have a consistent identity across both environments. This includes the synchronization of user accounts, group memberships, and credentials.

By utilizing Azure AD Connect, organizations can benefit from features such as single sign-on and seamless access to cloud resources for users whose identities are maintained in an on-premises Active Directory. It provides a crucial link for enterprises moving towards cloud-based services while still maintaining on-premises infrastructure.

This tool facilitates real-time synchronization and can also be configured for password hash synchronization, which securely stores hash versions of user passwords, allowing users to log in to both on-premises and cloud applications with the same credentials. This ensures that user experience is streamlined while maintaining security and control in identity management.