Migration for Active Directory
Planning the Migration Project
A typical migration project using Power365 Migration for Active Directory can be broken up into six (6) phases.
- Phase 1: Install Power365 Directory Sync agents and create the Workflow
- Phase 2: Identify Devices and their related Users and Groups to migrate (Concurrent with Phase 3)
- Phase 3: Install Power365 Migration for Active Directory agents and Register Devices (Concurrent with Phase 2)
- Phase 4: ReACL Devices
- Phase 5: Cutover Devices
Phase 6: Cleanup
Note: The Cleanup process typically occurs several months after the completion of the project.
Best practices for each phase of the migration project are presented below:
Phase 1: Install Power365 Directory Sync agents and create the Workflow
Power365 Directory Sync is used to synchronize objects and must be configured before using Power365 Migration for Active Directory.
Only those Devices which are in scope of the synchronization Workflow and the filters on its Environments will be available in Power365 Migration for Active Directory.
At a minimum the Read From and Match To steps of the synchronization Workflow must be present for Devices.
Phase 2: Identify Devices and their related Users and Groups to migrate (Concurrent with Phase 3)
Before migrating Devices do some analysis and planning to see what Users and Groups may need to be migrated, what groups need to be consolidated, how duplicates will be handled, etc.
More than one Workflow can be used to control the target destinations of Users and Groups.
Identifying Devices, Users, and groups to migrate can be accomplished concurrently with installing Power365 Migration for Active Directory agents and Registering Devices in Phase 3.
Phase 3: Install Power365 Migration for Active Directory agents and Register Devices (Concurrent with Phase 2)
The Power365 Migration for Active Directory agent should be installed on the Devices to be migrated or pushed out via third party tool.
Sufficient time should be allowed to address any issues with Device registration with the server. Correcting registration issues can take more time than expected. A typical large company with a large number of Devices may need a couple of weeks of off and on work to resolve registration issues with all Devices.
Resolving Device registration issues can be accomplished concurrently with identifying Users and groups to migrate in Phase 2.
Phase 4: ReACL Devices
Run a ReACL (file level re-permissioning) job on as many Devices as possible early in the process.
ReACL is a non-destructive process that can be repeated as often as necessary up until Cutover in Phase 5.
Troubleshoot any Devices with ReACL jobs which did not complete successfully.
Run a ReACL job again close to the actual Cutover date. This will allow you to complete most of the ReACL process early and provide time to resolve any issues with things such as anti-virus software and Group Policies.
Phase 5: Cutover Devices
Using some test Devices, Users, and Groups, verify a successful Device Cutover.
Create any custom Actions that may be required to run as part of the Cutover.
Typically, a final ReACL job should be run the weekend before the scheduled Cutover to ensure any new Users and other changes are processed.
A workstation reboot is required after the target account is enabled, the source account is disabled, and the Cutover is complete. This is usually completed in the evening when fewer end-users are impacted. Any impacted end-users should be alerted that this reboot is necessary.
Phase 6: Cleanup
The Cleanup phase typically takes place about two months after all Device Cutovers are complete. During the Cleanup phase, all permissions should be removed from the source domain and then the Power365 Migration for Active Directory agent should be removed from the Devices.
Before executing the Cleanup job to complete the Cleanup process it is recommended that you disable SID filtering/quarantine to verify that there are no issues with application access.
Requirements
Directory Sync
Environments
Prior to any migration of an Active Directory computer there are a few Power365 Directory Sync requirements to inventory your devices (computers). The first of which is your local on-premises environments or endpoints. To gain access to your devices from your on-premises Active Directory you must create and securely connect your Environments.
How do I add an Environment?
For complete details on how to add an environment, click here.
Workflows
The next required configuration for Power365 Directory Sync is to create a workflow that will inventory (read) your local on-premises Active Directory computers.
Directory Sync Agents
The final component required is to deploy at least one (1) Directory Sync agents that will be used to secure communicate and execute jobs against your Local Active Directory such a read or write.
How do I install a Directory Sync Agent?
For complete details on how to install an agent, click here.
Networking
Outbound Internet Access
By default, each computer being migrated will require outbound access to the public Internet to securely communicate with the Power365 services.
Application Ports
Each computer being migrated will require the Power365 Migration for Active Directory device agent and this agent will communicate to the Power365 services, outbound over ports:
- 80
- 443
- 3030
Domain Controller Ports
Active Directory migrations also require a variety of Microsoft defined ports for communication between domain controllers. For a complete list of required ports, click here.
Devices
The following is required for any Active Directory Computer(s) (devices) that will be migrated.
Device Agents
Each Active Directory Computer that will be migrated must have an agent installed on the workstation to orchestrate local jobs that must occur to prepare and execute the workstation’s domain move.
Operating Systems
All computers or servers being migrated to the new domain must run one of the following operating systems:
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
PowerShell
- All client operating systems must have at least PowerShell 3.0 installed.
.NET Framework
- All Devices must have .NET Framework 4.7.2 or newer installed. This will appear as ".NET 4.7.2 Extended" in the add/remove programs list.
- If not present, an appropriate version of .NET Framework will be installed during agent installation if an internet connection is available.
Remote Devices
To successfully migrate a remote employee’s remote device using the Offline Domain Join (ODJ) feature the Cache Credential action must be run to collect the user’s target credentials, so later you may cutover the device, while it is disconnected from the network.
The following is required:
Cached Credentials Action
- One-way external trust must be configured from the source domain to the target domain when the Cache Credential activity is processed
For more information about AD Trusts, check out this MS Press article about configuring trusts.
Network
• Network connectivity to both the source and target environments (Active Directory Domain Controllers) when the Cache Credential activity is processed
How do I set up Offline Domain Join (ODJ)?
For complete details on how to set up ODJ, click here.
Web Proxy
Some organizations may require all computers communicating externally direct their traffic through a web proxy to centralize communications. Power365 Migration for Active Directory agents can be configured to use a web proxy for communication to the Power365 cloud services.
Proxy Server
- At least one (1) standard web proxy that supports http/TCP traffic.
Proxy Address
- The associated web proxy URL must be defined during configuration of the device agent.
Security
- If accessing the web proxy requires an additional username and password this will be required during configuration of the device agent.
Ports
All agents configured to use a web proxy will utilize the following outbound TCP ports:
- 80
- 443
Repositories
The following three Device Actions, when used, will require a defined storage share accessible from the source and target AD Forests/Domains:
- Upload Logs
- Device Download
- Offline Domain Join
How do I configure repositories?
For complete details on how to configure repositories, click here.
Additional Information
Power365 Directory Sync Requirements: Password Synchronization
Power365 Directory Sync Requirements: SID History