How-to Upgrade DirSync to Azure AD Connect and move to a new server at the same time Print

The upgrade / migration process:

Install & run Azure AD Connect setup on the source server in export mode
Install & run Azure AD Connect setup on the destination server in migration mode
Uninstall DirSync from the source server & disable staging mode on the destination server
Verify Directory Synchronization health

1. Source Server: Run Azure AD Connect in export mode

After Azure AD Connect is done installing on each server, just exit the setup wizard. You do not need to proceed to configure it. From the source server, go to Start > Run and execute the following command:

“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Azure Active Directory Connect\AzureADConnect.exe” /forceexport

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The wizard will then present you with the option to Export Settings from your existing DirSync installation. You can just choose a location accessible on the network to save the export file.

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2. Destination Server: Install Azure AD Connect in migration mode

On the destination server, go to Start > Run or open a command prompt and execute (as admin):

“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Azure Active Directory Connect\AzureADConnect.exe” /migrate

his will enable you to import that same file. Browse to the network location and complete the rest of the wizard! You need to be able to sign-in to Office 365 as well as specify a service account for Directory Synchronization to use. If you have an Exchange Server on-premises, it may also ask you about preserving hybrid configuration, and of course if you wish to keep that functionality intact you would select that option.

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3. Uninstall DirSync & disable staging mode

One more thing: you need to uninstall DirSync on the source server, and finally launch Azure AD Connect on the destination server, and disable staging mode. Until you do this, the new server will not be exporting any data to Azure AD.

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4. Verify Directory Synchronization health

Of course, as with anything, it is worth verifying the success of this process. Check out the Directory Synchronization health in your Office 365 portal, just to be safe. If you see no errors, then cheers; you’re done!