With Linux virtual machines and servers now becoming a mainstay in several organizations’ infrastructure, a question that regularly arises is how to manage these devices on Azure Active Directory (AD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"JumpCloud\"](\"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/large-202303-EB-Resource-BreakingUpWithAD-290x175-SiteDisplay-aspect-ratio-160-110.png\")
\n <\/div>\n \n Breaking Up with Active Directory <\/p>\n
\n Don\u2019t let your directory hold you back. Learn why it\u2019s time to break up with AD. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n
The Problem: How To Bind Linux to Azure AD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"coworkers](\"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/coworkers-in-server-room.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBinding Linux to Azure is less problematic for Linux users than Mac users for a simple reason: Microsoft Azure<\/a> runs on the Linux operating system!<\/p>\n\n\n\nHowever, it still requires IT admins to manually join every device to the directory, create an account, and log them into the network. Alternatively, admins could use configuration management tools<\/a> in writing codes to grant user access.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe problem is that the admin must write exceedingly complex codes when granting different levels of access to different users. These extra steps become problematic as organizations grow and leverage more tools. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there; they must also jump through similar hoops when terminating user access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Woe beside the IT admin who needs to do numerous tasks while working within the challenges posed by remote work and possibly a distributed workforce! Fortunately, there is a better way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Solution: Bind Users, Not Devices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What if admins could grant access to users instead of individual devices? This way, when users log in from different devices or systems, their access remains restricted only to what has been granted and can be tracked easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This makes it easy for admins to grant and revoke access. All they have to do is update the user’s profile, and all their devices will reflect the changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBinding Linux to Azure is less problematic for Linux users than Mac users for a simple reason: Microsoft Azure<\/a> runs on the Linux operating system!<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it still requires IT admins to manually join every device to the directory, create an account, and log them into the network. Alternatively, admins could use configuration management tools<\/a> in writing codes to grant user access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem is that the admin must write exceedingly complex codes when granting different levels of access to different users. These extra steps become problematic as organizations grow and leverage more tools. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there; they must also jump through similar hoops when terminating user access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Woe beside the IT admin who needs to do numerous tasks while working within the challenges posed by remote work and possibly a distributed workforce! Fortunately, there is a better way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if admins could grant access to users instead of individual devices? This way, when users log in from different devices or systems, their access remains restricted only to what has been granted and can be tracked easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This makes it easy for admins to grant and revoke access. All they have to do is update the user’s profile, and all their devices will reflect the changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Solution: Bind Users, Not Devices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n