2.1.1.4. Configure Entra ID Join

💡 First Principle: Entra ID Join fundamentally enables a cloud-native approach to device management, allowing organizations to secure and manage Windows devices directly from the cloud without reliance on traditional on-premises domain controllers.

Scenario: Your company is issuing new Windows 11 laptops to all employees, many of whom will work remotely. You need a way to easily provision these devices and manage them centrally without requiring a connection to your on-premises domain controllers.

What It Is: Entra ID Join is a feature that allows a Windows 10/11 device to be joined directly to Entra ID.

Purpose:

• Entra ID Join is designed for cloud-first organizations, allowing devices to be centrally managed without on-premises Active Directory.
• It provides seamless access to cloud resources and enforces security policies directly from Entra ID.

Configuration Steps:

1. Prerequisites:
   • Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
   • Entra ID user account; some features require Entra ID Premium P1/P2.
2. Join Methods:
   • During OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience): On first boot of a new Windows device, select "Set up for an organization" and sign in with Entra ID credentials.
   • From Windows Settings: Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > Connect, then "Join this device to Microsoft Entra ID."
   • Via Windows Autopilot: IT can automate bulk enrollment and configuration for new devices, reducing manual setup for end-users.
3. Post-Join:
   • Device appears in Entra ID for management and policy assignment.
   • Can be further managed by Microsoft Intune (part of Microsoft Endpoint Manager - MEM) for device compliance and configuration policies.

Benefits:

• Centralized device management via Intune/MEM.
• Single sign-on (SSO) to Microsoft 365 and cloud apps.
• Conditional access, compliance, and security policies applied directly from Azure.
• Supports remote and hybrid work without on-premises infrastructure dependencies.

⚠️ Common Pitfall: Using Entra ID Join for devices that require frequent access to on-premises resources that rely on traditional Kerberos/NTLM authentication. In such cases, Hybrid Entra ID Join is often a better fit.

Key Trade-Offs:

• Cloud-Native Management (Entra ID Join) vs. Hybrid Management (Hybrid Entra ID Join): Entra ID Join is simpler for cloud-first organizations. Hybrid Join adds complexity but is necessary for seamless access to both on-premises and cloud resources during a transition period.

Reflection Question: How does configuring Entra ID Join fundamentally enable secure, cloud-native device management for modern workplaces, simplifying deployment and providing seamless access to cloud resources without on-premises infrastructure?