Active Directory is a powerful and widely-used identity and access management solution developed by Microsoft. It is a part of the Microsoft Windows Server operating system and is used to store and manage identity information for enterprises, organizations, and other large infrastructure setups.
When it comes to using Active Directory on the Azure cloud platform, the answer to whether it is free or not is somewhat complicated.
Firstly, it is important to note that Azure provides a managed version of Active Directory called Azure Active Directory, or AAD for short. AAD is a multi-tenant, cloud-based directory and identity management service that provides authentication and authorization for applications and services.
AAD offers a range of features and capabilities, including single sign-on, user and group management, conditional access policies, identity protection, and more. It is also used for managing access to Office 365, Azure services, and other Microsoft applications and services.
In terms of pricing, there are different tiers of AAD available, each with its own set of features and limitations. The basic version of AAD is free and offers basic user and group management, but lacks several advanced features such as conditional access, identity protection, and multi-factor authentication.
However, if you need access to these advanced features, you will need to upgrade to a higher-tiered version of AAD, which comes at a cost. The higher tiers are generally geared towards larger organizations and offer more advanced features and capabilities.
It is also important to note that while AAD is a part of Azure, it can also be used with on-premise Active Directory setups as a way to extend identity management to the cloud.
While Azure Active Directory may be free to use at its basic tier, the need for higher-tiered features will come at a cost. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider your organization’s needs and requirements when deciding whether or not to use AAD on the Azure platform.
Table of Contents
How do I enable Azure Active Directory for free?
Enabling Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) for free is a relatively simple process that can be completed by anyone. Azure AD is a cloud-based service from Microsoft that provides identity and access management to your organization’s resources. It can be used to authenticate users, secure your applications, and manage your organization’s access to cloud resources from a single location.
To get started with Azure AD for free, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create an Azure Account
Before you can use Azure AD, you will need an Azure account. To create an account, go to the Azure website and sign up for a free trial. You will need to provide some basic information, such as your name and email address, and create a password.
Step 2: Navigate to the Azure Active Directory page
Once you have an Azure account, navigate to the Azure Active Directory page. This can be found under the Services section of the Azure portal.
Step 3: Select the “Create a New Directory” option
On the Azure Active Directory page, select the “Create a New Directory” option. This will open a dialog box that will allow you to enter a name for your directory and select your preferred directory type.
Step 4: Create and configure your directory
After creating your directory, you will need to configure it. This involves setting various properties, such as the directory name, default domain name, and the country or region where your organization is located. You will also need to select a domain name for your organization.
Step 5: Add users to your directory
Once your directory is configured, you can start adding users. You can do this by navigating to the “Users” tab and selecting the “New User” option. This will open a dialog box where you can enter the user’s information, such as their name, email address, and password.
Step 6: Assign licenses to your users
To enable your users to use Azure AD, you will need to assign licenses to them. You can do this by navigating to the “Licenses” tab and selecting the “Assign Licenses” option. This will open a dialog box where you can select the licenses you want to assign and specify which users should receive them.
Step 7: Configure your applications
Finally, you can configure your applications to use Azure AD. This involves creating an App Registration for each application and configuring the authentication and authorization settings. You can do this by navigating to the “App Registrations” tab and selecting the “New Registration” option.
Azure Active Directory is a powerful identity and access management tool that can help your organization manage access to cloud resources from a single location. By following these easy steps, you can enable and configure Azure AD for free and start taking advantage of all its features.
How do I fix I am not eligible for Azure free?
If you are not eligible for Azure free, there could be a number of reasons why this is the case. Here are some potential solutions to help resolve the issue:
1. Check the eligibility criteria: Make sure that you fulfill all the eligibility criteria for the Azure free subscription. This could include factors like your country of residence, age, and employment status, as well as any restrictions put in place by your organization.
2. Verify your account: Check that your account has been fully verified, and that you have provided all the necessary information to prove your identity. This may include things like a valid phone number, email address, or credit card information.
3. Contact customer support: If you have verified that you are eligible for Azure free but are still experiencing issues, get in touch with the Azure customer support team. They will be able to help diagnose the problem and suggest a solution.
4. Upgrade to a paid subscription: If you are not eligible for Azure free, you may still be able to use Azure by upgrading to a paid subscription. While this may involve some additional costs, it may be a worthwhile investment if you need the additional features and functionality that come with a paid plan.
The best course of action will depend on your specific circumstances and the reason for your ineligibility for Azure free. By carefully reviewing the eligibility criteria and contacting customer support, you can work to resolve the issue and start using Azure to its full potential.
Why is my free Azure subscription disabled?
Azure offers a variety of subscriptions to meet the needs of their customers, including a free subscription for individuals who want to try out the platform. However, there are a few reasons why a free Azure subscription might become disabled.
One possible reason for a disabled subscription is that it has reached its usage limit. While the free subscription offers a certain amount of resources for users, such as virtual machines and storage, exceeding these limits can result in a disabled subscription. This can happen if the user runs too many virtual machines or uses too much storage, for example.
Another reason why a free Azure subscription might become disabled is due to account verification issues. Microsoft may need to confirm the user’s identity for security reasons, and if they are unable to do so they may choose to disable the account until the user can verify their identity.
It’s also possible that the subscription has been disabled due to a violation of Azure’s terms of service. This can happen if the user engages in activities that are not allowed, such as hacking or creating and distributing malicious software. Azure takes these violations seriously and may disable the free subscription, or even ban the user from the platform entirely.
Finally, there may be billing issues that lead to a disabled subscription. While the free subscription does not require payment, it’s possible that the user has added paid services to their account and has not paid their bill on time. If this happens, Microsoft may choose to disable the subscription until the balance is paid.
There are several possible reasons why a free Azure subscription might become disabled. It’s important for users to carefully monitor their usage, verify their identity as requested, and abide by Azure’s terms of service to avoid these issues.
Can I use Azure for free without credit card?
Azure is a cloud platform offered by Microsoft that provides a wide range of cloud-based services and resources to businesses of all sizes. One of the key benefits of using Azure is that it offers a wide array of services that can help organizations to build, deploy, and manage their applications and services.
If you are interested in using Azure for free, Microsoft does offer a free trial of the Azure platform. This free trial allows you to use a limited set of Azure services for a period of 30 days. During this time, you can create and deploy virtual machines, use storage and networking services, and experiment with various Azure features.
However, it is important to note that you will need a valid credit card to sign up for the Azure free trial. While you won’t be charged anything for the first 30 days of your trial, Microsoft requires a credit card to verify your identity and to prevent abuse of the platform. This helps to ensure that only legitimate users are able to take advantage of the free trial.
Once your free trial period is up, you will need to start paying for Azure services if you wish to continue using them. However, Microsoft does offer a number of different pricing plans for Azure, so you can choose the plan that best meets your needs and budget.
While you do need a valid credit card to sign up for the Azure free trial, it is possible to use Azure for free for a period of 30 days. During this time, you can explore the platform and its many features and services to determine if it is right for your organization. After the trial period is over, you can choose from a variety of pricing plans to continue using Azure.
Is Microsoft discontinuing Azure?
No, Microsoft is not discontinuing Azure. In fact, Azure is one of its flagship products and continues to be a key player in the cloud computing industry. Microsoft Azure is a cloud platform that provides a range of services to help organizations build, deploy, and manage applications on a global network of Microsoft-managed data centers.
In recent years, Microsoft has invested heavily in developing and expanding Azure’s capabilities, adding a multitude of new services and features to enhance the platform’s functionality and usability. These updates have included everything from artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to advanced security and compliance features.
As of today, Azure remains one of the top cloud platforms in the industry, with millions of active users and a thriving ecosystem of partners and third-party developers. Microsoft continues to innovate and expand Azure’s capabilities, showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Therefore, the claim that Microsoft is discontinuing its Azure platform is simply unfounded and without merit. Instead, Microsoft is doubling down on its commitment to Azure and continuing to evolve the platform to meet the needs of its customers and the ever-changing technology landscape.
Which Azure services are free forever?
Azure offers multiple services that are free forever on the Azure platform. Below are some of the Azure services that fall into this category:
1. Azure App Service: The Azure App Service is a fully managed platform that enables developers to build, deploy and scale web and mobile applications. The free tier of the App Service includes 10 web, mobile or API applications with 1 GB storage each and 60 minutes per day of compute time.
2. Azure Functions: Azure Functions is a serverless computing service that allows developers to run functions in response to events such as HTTP requests or time-based triggers. The free tier of Azure Functions includes 1 million requests per month and 400,000 GB-s of resource consumption per month.
3. Azure Cosmos DB: Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model database service. The service supports document, key-value, graph and column-family data models. The free tier of Cosmos DB includes 5 GB of storage and 400 RU/s of throughput.
4. Azure DevOps: Azure DevOps is a suite of services for building, testing, and deploying applications to any platform or device. The free tier of Azure DevOps includes access to Azure Boards (for work item tracking), Azure Repos (for source control), Azure Artifacts (for package management) and Azure Test Plans (for managing tests).
5. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): AKS is a fully managed Kubernetes container orchestration service that enables you to deploy, scale and manage containerized applications easily. The free tier of AKS includes one node per cluster and 5,000 total pod hours per month.
6. Azure Monitor: Azure Monitor is a platform monitoring and management service that provides data-driven insights into your applications and infrastructure. The free tier of Azure Monitor includes 5 GB of data ingestion per month and 31 days of data retention.
Azure offers many services that are free forever on its platform. Developers can leverage these services to build, deploy, and manage their applications with ease without worrying about additional costs.
How do I get a free domain from Azure?
Azure does not offer free domains in the traditional sense, but it does offer a free Azure App Service plan that includes a custom subdomain. To take advantage of this offer, you need to follow the steps outlined below:
1. Sign up for a free Azure account: The first step you need to take is to sign up for an Azure account. This is a simple process that takes a few minutes to complete. You will need to provide some basic information about yourself, including your name, email address, and a password.
2. Create an Azure App Service: Once you have created your account, you need to create an Azure App Service. An Azure App Service is a platform for building and deploying web applications. To do this, go to the Azure portal and click on the “Create a resource” button. Search for “App Service” and click on the “Create” button.
3. Configure the App Service: After you have created the App Service, you need to configure it. This includes setting up the custom subdomain for your website. To do this, click on the “Custom domains” option in the Azure portal and then click on the “Add hostname” button. Enter the subdomain name that you want to use, and Azure will verify it and add it to your App Service configuration.
4. Publish your website: Once you have configured your App Service, you can publish your website to make it accessible to the world. There are several ways to do this, including using Visual Studio or FTP. You can also use the Azure portal to deploy your website. Once your website is deployed, you can access it using the custom subdomain that you configured.
While Azure does not offer free domains, it provides a way to use a custom subdomain with their free App Service plan. To get started, create an Azure account, set up an App Service and configure the custom subdomain, and then publish your website using your subdomain. With these simple steps, you can create a professional-looking website without paying for a domain.
What is the cost of Active Directory?
The cost of Active Directory can vary depending on the specific requirements and needs of an organization. Firstly, there is the cost of the Windows Server operating system which is required to run Active Directory. Depending on the edition and licensing model chosen, the cost can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
In addition, there may be costs associated with hardware requirements and infrastructure needed to support the deployment of AD. The larger the organization, the more hardware and infrastructure may be required to ensure optimal performance, which can lead to additional costs.
There may also be costs associated with training and hiring personnel with the expertise to manage and maintain AD. This can be an ongoing expense, especially if there is a turnover of personnel or new functionality needs to be implemented.
Another factor to consider when calculating the cost of Active Directory is the potential cost savings that it can provide. By centralizing user authentication and access control, AD can help to streamline identity and access management, simplify administration, and reduce the risk of security breaches.
These benefits can translate to cost savings in terms of reduced administrative burden, increased productivity, and decreased risk of costly data breaches.
While the cost of Active Directory may vary, it is important to consider both the upfront and ongoing costs, as well as the potential benefits and cost savings it can provide.
Does Active Directory cost anything?
Active Directory is a network directory service provided by Microsoft that enables administrators to manage and organize resources and users in a secure and centralized manner. As a software solution, Active Directory comes integrated with Windows Server operating systems starting from Windows 2000 and higher versions.
In this sense, if you have purchased a Windows server license, Active Directory comes as a free component of the server operating system.
However, there may be additional costs associated with the setup, deployment, maintenance, and management of Active Directory in an organization. These costs may vary depending on different factors such as the size of the organization, the complexity of the infrastructure, and the level of support and services required.
For example, to deploy and configure Active Directory, organizations might need to hire IT professionals who have knowledge and experience with core network services like DNS, DHCP, and Active Directory. These professionals may require training, certification, and salaries, which can be considered as additional costs.
Moreover, some organizations may need to purchase hardware and storage devices to run Active Directory effectively. Depending on the size of the infrastructure, these expenses can quickly mount up.
Additionally, Microsoft offers different editions of Windows Server, such as Standard and Datacenter editions, which come with different licensing costs, depending on the number of users, servers, and virtual machines needed for the environment.
While Active Directory is available as a free component of Windows Server, additional costs may be incurred for deployment, management, and maintenance of the infrastructure. It requires expertise, hardware, licensing, and sometimes additional software to integrate with various enterprise applications.
It is important for organizations to carefully evaluate their requirements and budget before adopting Active Directory as their directory service.
What is the price of Azure AD?
The pricing for Azure Active Directory (AD) varies depending on the specific plan and features that an organization requires. There are several different pricing tiers available for Azure AD, ranging from a basic free version to enterprise-level offerings with advanced features and support.
The most basic version of Azure AD is the Free plan that allows organizations to manage up to 500,000 directories and 50,000 users. This version offers basic features like multi-factor authentication, self-service password reset, and synchronization with on-premises directories. While this version is free, it has some limitations in terms of features and scalability compared to the other tiers.
The next tier is the Basic plan, which costs $1 per user per month. This tier offers additional advanced features like group-based access management, application proxy, and Azure Active Directory Domain Services. The Basic plan is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses that require better security and identity management than the Free plan but do not need advanced features like conditional access or password protection.
The second-highest tier is the Premium P1 plan, which adds features like conditional access, advanced reporting, and self-service group management. The Premium P1 plan costs $6 per user per month, making it a good choice for medium to large organizations that require advanced features, such as conditional access, which enables IT administrators to restrict access to resources based on specific conditions, like device location or the sensitivity of the resource.
The highest tier is the Premium P2 plan, which costs $9 per user per month. This version includes all the features from the Premium P1 plan and adds additional features like Identity Protection and Privileged Identity Management. These advanced features are designed to prevent identity-based attacks and protect high-risk users and privileged accounts.
This plan is best suited for large enterprises that require full-featured identity and access management solutions.
The cost of Azure AD depends on the organization’s specific needs and the features required to sufficiently secure identity management. The Free tier is the best option for small businesses or those with limited IT resources, the Basic plan is a cost-effective option for small to medium-sized businesses that require better security, identity management, and application proxy, while the Premium P1 and P2 plans are best suited for medium to large organizations that require advanced security and compliance features.
Can you have two active directories?
Yes, it is possible to have two active directories in a network environment. However, having multiple active directories can complicate network management and should be carefully considered before implementation.
An active directory is a centralized database that stores information about the network’s resources, including user accounts, computers, printers, and other objects. It provides a centralized authentication and authorization system that allows users to access network resources based on their permission levels.
In a large organization with a distributed network environment, it may make sense to have multiple active directories to organize and manage resources. For example, each regional branch office may have its own active directory that is managed locally. This can help to reduce the load on the central IT team and provide localized management and support.
However, having multiple active directories also creates challenges. It can lead to fragmentation and inconsistencies in network management, and it can make it harder to enforce security policies across the entire organization. In addition, users may need to remember multiple usernames and passwords for different domains, which can be confusing and frustrating.
In order to have multiple active directories, it is important to ensure that they are properly configured and synchronized. This may require additional hardware and software to enable communication between the different domains. It is also necessary to have a centralized management system that can manage all of the domains and enforce security policies across the entire network.
Having two active directories is possible but should be carefully considered before implementation. It can provide localized management and support in a distributed network environment but can also create challenges and complexity in network management. the decision to have multiple active directories should be based on the organization’s specific needs and requirements.
Can I get Azure AD for free?
Yes, you can get Azure AD for free. Azure Active Directory offers a free version, which is called the “Azure Active Directory Free edition.” This free version comes with several essential identity and access management features that many small and medium-sized businesses need.
Some of the key features of Azure Active Directory Free edition include:
1. Authentication for cloud and on-premises resources: With Azure AD Free, you can authenticate users to both cloud and on-premises resources such as Microsoft Office 365, Azure, and other SaaS applications.
2. User and group management: You can manage your users and groups in Azure AD Free. You can assign users to specific groups, which makes it easier to manage access to resources.
3. Single sign-on (SSO): With Azure AD Free, you can enable single sign-on for your cloud and on-premises applications. This means users can log in once and access all the resources they’re authorized to access.
4. Self-service password reset: Azure AD Free offers self-service password reset for both cloud and on-premises applications. This feature allows users to reset their passwords without contacting IT support.
5. Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Azure AD Free includes MFA, which requires users to provide an additional form of verification when they log in. This provides an extra layer of security for your organization.
It’s also worth noting that Azure AD offers paid editions, including Azure AD Premium P1 and P2. These editions come with additional features such as conditional access, identity protection, and Microsoft Cloud App Security.
If you’re a small or medium-sized business looking for a simple and cost-effective identity and access management solution, Azure AD Free may be a good option for you. It provides essential features that can help you manage user and group access to your resources, all for free.
What is the difference between Azure AD and Active Directory?
Azure AD (Azure Active Directory) and Active Directory are both identity and access management solutions developed by Microsoft. However, they differ in their key features and use cases.
Active Directory (AD) is an on-premises identity and access management solution that is widely used by organizations to manage user accounts, groups, and computers in a Windows domain environment. With AD, users can authenticate and access resources within the network, such as files, applications, and printers.
AD also provides features such as Group Policy to centrally manage desktop and server configurations and DNS to resolve domain names. AD is designed to work on-premises, and it provides limited cloud integration.
Azure AD, on the other hand, is a cloud-based identity and access management solution that provides access to cloud applications, resources, and services. It allows users to authenticate and access cloud-based resources such as Office 365, Azure services, and Software as a Service (SaaS) applications.
Azure AD provides identity management capabilities such as multi-factor authentication, conditional access policies, and single sign-on (SSO) to improve security and streamline authentication processes for cloud-based resources. Additionally, Azure AD provides features such as Azure AD Connect, which allows synchronization of user accounts between on-premises and cloud environments.
One of the primary differences between AD and Azure AD is in their deployment models. AD is deployed on-premises, and it requires a dedicated infrastructure to manage user identities and access. On the other hand, Azure AD is a cloud-based solution that requires no hardware or infrastructure, and it is deployed and managed entirely in the cloud.
Organizations that need to manage both on-premises and cloud-based resources can use a hybrid model that synchronizes identities and access policies between on-premises AD and Azure AD.
Another key difference is their functionality. While AD is designed primarily for on-premises environments, Azure AD is tailored for cloud-based resources and applications. Azure AD provides enhanced identity protection features such as risk-based conditional access and fraud detection, which are not available in AD.
Azure AD and Active Directory are both identity and access management solutions developed by Microsoft, but they differ in their key features and deployment models. AD is designed primarily for on-premises environments, while Azure AD is tailored for cloud-based resources and applications. Organizations must choose the solution that best fits their needs based on their use cases and requirements.
How many users can I have with Azure AD free?
Azure AD (Active Directory) is a cloud-based identity and access management service from Microsoft that provides authentication and authorization services to various Microsoft services and third-party applications. The Azure AD Free edition is a basic version that provides limited features and functionalities but can be a good starting point for small businesses or organizations that need to manage their user accounts in the cloud.
The answer to the question of how many users can you have with Azure AD Free is straightforward: Azure AD Free allows you to have up to 500,000 objects in your directory, including users, groups, and devices. This means that you can have up to 500,000 users in your Azure AD Free account.
However, it is important to note that there are some limitations to the Azure AD Free edition that may affect the performance and availability of your directory. For example, Azure AD Free does not provide advanced features such as multifactor authentication, conditional access policies, or self-service password reset.
These features are available only in the paid editions of Azure AD, such as Azure AD Premium P1 or P2.
Additionally, there are some other factors that may affect the number of users you can realistically have in your Azure AD Free account. For example, if you have a lot of applications or services relying on Azure AD for authentication and authorization, you may need to have more resources (such as memory, CPU, or network bandwidth) to support the increased load.
Similarly, if you have a lot of guest users (i.e., external users who need access to your resources), you may need to consider the impact on your licensing costs and the user experience.
Azure AD Free allows you to have up to 500,000 users in your directory, but this number may be limited by the performance and availability of your resources or the licensing costs associated with managing a large number of guest users. If you need more advanced features or scalability, you may need to consider upgrading to a paid edition of Azure AD.
