In this chapter we will Setting Up Your Microsoft Intune Environment, we'll walk you through the essential steps to configure Microsoft Intune for your organization. We'll cover everything from accessing the Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center and configuring tenant settings to integrating with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), setting up Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and resolving common issues. By following this guide, you'll be able to create a secure and manageable environment tailored to your organization's needs.
2.1 Initial Setup of Microsoft Intune Setting Up Your Microsoft Intune Environment
Accessing Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center
To start managing your devices with Microsoft Intune, you'll need to access the Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center. Here’s how:
Navigate to the Admin Center:
Open your web browser and head to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center.
For the best experience, use a supported browser like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome to avoid compatibility issues.
Sign In with the Correct Credentials:
Enter your Global Administrator or Intune Service Administrator credentials.
If Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enabled, complete the authentication steps using your preferred method (e.g., SMS, Authenticator app).
Troubleshoot Access Issues:
Access Denied or Insufficient Permissions? Double-check your role assignments in Azure AD: Go to Azure Active Directory > Roles and Administrators and ensure your account has the necessary roles.
Facing a Sign-In Loop or Browser Issues? Clear your browser cache and cookies or try using an incognito/private browsing window. Ensure your browser settings don’t block cookies or JavaScript.
Configuring Basic Settings
Once you've accessed the Admin Center, it's time to set up the core settings for your Intune tenant to fit your organization's requirements.
Tenant Settings:
Go to Tenant Administration > Tenant Settings.
Update your organization’s details like Name, Address, and Contact Information. Be precise—these settings will appear in the Company Portal and during device enrollment.
Notifications and Privacy Settings:
Set up notifications for actions such as remote wipe, app installation, and policy updates. Enabling these notifications helps keep your end-users informed and can reduce support inquiries.
Troubleshooting Tips:
Changes Not Saving? Make sure your internet connection is stable and your account has the correct administrative privileges.
"Cannot Update Tenant Settings" Error? Check Azure AD service health for any outages.
Branding Configuration
Customize your Intune environment to reflect your organization's brand:
Go to: Tenant Administration > Customization.
Upload Company Logos:
Click on Edit under Customization and upload your primary and secondary logos (PNG or JPG, 300x300 pixels).
Set Color Schemes:
Match the color scheme of the Company Portal app to your corporate branding.
Troubleshooting Branding Issues:
Logo Not Displaying Properly? Ensure the file size is under 10 KB and in the correct format. Clear your browser cache if necessary.
Customization Not Visible? It may take up to 24 hours for branding changes to take effect. Make sure your users have the latest version of the Company Portal app.
2.2 Understanding Tenants and Directory Integration
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Integration
Integrating Azure AD is a crucial step for managing user identities and securing access to your corporate resources.
Synchronization:
Sync On-Premises AD with Azure AD using Azure AD Connect:
Download Azure AD Connect from the Microsoft Download Center.
Install it on a domain-joined Windows Server close to your domain controllers to reduce latency.
During installation, choose your preferred synchronization method:
Password Hash Synchronization (PHS): The simplest option where passwords are synchronized as hashes to Azure AD.
Pass-through Authentication (PTA): Authentication is performed by on-premises AD.
Federation: Integrates with existing ADFS or third-party federation services.
Troubleshooting Sync Issues:
"Synchronization Failed"? Open the Event Viewer on the server running Azure AD Connect to check for detailed error messages.
Duplicate Users or Objects? Use the Synchronization Service Manager to identify and fix synchronization errors.
User and Group Management
To effectively manage users and groups in Azure AD, you can use either the Azure Portal or PowerShell:
Portal Method:
Navigate to Azure Active Directory > Users > New User.
Fill in the user details, select the role, and configure any additional properties.
PowerShell Method:
Automate bulk user creation or modification with the AzureAD module. Here’s a quick example to create a new user:
# Connect to Azure AD
Connect-AzureAD
# Create a new user
New-AzureADUser -DisplayName "John Doe" -UserPrincipalName "johndoe@contoso.com" -MailNickName "johndoe" -PasswordProfile (New-Object -TypeName Microsoft.Open.AzureAD.Model.PasswordProfile -ArgumentList "Password@123") -AccountEnabled $true
Troubleshooting Tips:
"User Already Exists"? Make sure the User Principal Name (UPN) is unique.
"User Not Appearing in Intune"? Allow time for synchronization or run a manual sync using:
Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType Delta
2.3 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in Intune
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) allows you to define who can perform specific tasks, enhancing security and management efficiency.
Setting Up Intune Roles and Permissions
Built-in Roles:
Go to Tenant Administration > Roles > All Roles and review roles like Intune Administrator, Help Desk Operator, and Policy and Profile Manager.
To assign a built-in role, select it, click Assignments, and choose + Add to assign to a user or group.
Custom Roles:
To create a custom role, navigate to Tenant Administration > Roles > Create.
Name the role, provide a description, and configure permissions to match your organization’s needs.
Assign the role by clicking Assignments and selecting + Add Assignment.
Troubleshooting Role Setup:
Unable to Create or Modify a Custom Role? Ensure your account has the appropriate administrator privileges.
Role Assignment Fails? Check that the user or group is in the correct scope and has the necessary permissions.
Assigning Roles to Administrators
To assign roles effectively:
Navigate to Role Assignments:
Go to Tenant Administration > Roles > Assignments.
Assign the Role:
Click + Assign, select the user or group, and specify the role scope.
Troubleshooting Role Assignments:
"User Not Found" or "Cannot Assign Role"? Verify that the user exists in Azure AD and has the appropriate licensing.
Role Not Working as Expected? Check for overlapping roles or conflicting permissions.
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