Directory Synchronization - Administrator Initiated

This article contains information on how the Sync All button in the Mimecast Administration Console initiates directory synchronization, detailing the process and expected behavior for LDAP, Microsoft Azure, and On-Premises Active Directory integrations.

The button for Sync All in the Users & Groups | Directory Synchronization menu triggers an administrator-initiated Directory Sync.

This article describes the expected behavior for this feature.

The feature will perform different tasks depending on the type of Directory Integration your organization has configured.

To start a manual directory synchronization from the Administration Console, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Mimecast Administration Console.
2. Navigate to Services | Directory Synchronization menu item.
3. Click on the Sync All button.

Different tasks are performed depending on the directory integration you've configured. These are listed below, but regardless of the directory integration, the following applies:

LDAP-based Directory Integration

If you use an LDAP-based Directory Integration, the Sync All button will trigger a sync to execute immediately for all Enabled integrations. In addition, the button label will change to Sync In Progress.

When the sync completes, it can take up to 10 minutes for the results of the sync to be applied to your service. When complete, refreshing the page will change the button label to "Sync All," and a "View manual sync report" link will become available. This link will remain available for 24 hours.

Microsoft Azure Active Directory Integration

The Microsoft Azure Active Directory Integration uses a Connector to facilitate communication between the Mimecast and Microsoft environments.

When synchronization is initiated, the Sync All button will trigger a sync to execute immediately for all Enabled integrations. Additionally, the button label will change to Sync In Progress.

When the sync completes, it can take up to 10 minutes for the results of the sync to be applied to your service. Once complete, refreshing the page will change the button label to Sync All, and a View manual Sync Report link will become available. This link will remain available for 24 hours.

On-premises Active Directory (Synchronization Engine) Integration

If you use an On-Premises Active Directory Synchronization Engine-based Integration and the Mimecast Synchronization Engine version is 2.9 or later, the Sync All button will trigger a sync on your Synchronization Engine server to start within 2 minutes of the button being pressed.

Suppose you are using the Mimecast Synchronization Engine version 2.8 or earlier, or your Synchronization Engine site is not currently active. In that case, the Sync All button will not trigger a sync, and a warning message will be displayed.

When the sync completes, it can take up to 10 minutes for the results of the sync to be applied to your service.