Install a client/downstream tenant

  • Last update on December 3rd, 2024

Installing a client/downstream tenant is the process of onboarding an additional tenant to Configuration Manager that is aligned to your baseline.

Get ready for installation

First, ensure that you are properly prepared for tenant installation.

Installation steps 

The following steps will guide you through the installation process. For each step, an in-depth article is provided and linked:

Add a downstream tenant.

Afterwards, you will land in the “Add a downstream tenant” page:


Configure tenant information and settings

Tenant info: basic settings

Define the domain and display name of your tenant.

 

 
 

Baseline

The baseline is an Microsoft 365 tenant that contains a set of configurations to which your tenants will align.  

Remember that you must associate a baseline with your tenant.

Baseline selection when installing a downstream tenant.
 
 

Authentication method

If you wish to use “User account authentication”, choose the method by which Configuration Manager authenticates into the tenant: Service Account or Delegated Authentication.

This is an important choice and should be aligned with your organization's security posture. Don't be caught unprepared! Refer to our guide to help you decide.

Authentication method: “User account authentication” enabled; method selection.
 
 

Service Principal authentication

A Service Principal is required to assist in tenant authentication and configuration management. 

Configuration Manager will create one in the tenant at install time. If you would prefer, you can bring your own custom service principal!

Select the appropriate service principal option.
 
 

Link an Azure subscription

Enable this option if you have an Azure subscription in the tenant and would like Configuration Manager to manage the configurations associated with that subscription. 

Link an Azure Subscription option.
 
 

Approval group selection

Choose which group of users has the authority to approve or reject changes made to the tenant configurations. Please note that the default one is ”Contributors”.

 
 

Agent pool selection

Configuration Manager offers the ability to choose where your Sync operations run through the agent pool feature. While syncs typically run on Microsoft-hosted agents by default, you can select self-hosted agents for enhanced control and security compliance.

Approval group selection.

Agent pools can be selected either from the Sync page as well. 

 
 

Install as backup only

Checking this box will restrict Syncs to only perform export operations. No preview operations will be conducted, and configuration deployments will not be attempted for this tenant, ensuring a more stable overall operation.

 
 

You will be able to change the downstream tenant display  name, change the associated baseline, authentication method, custom service principal, the link to the Azure Subscription, agent pool, approval group and reinstall your tenant with the “backup only” option at a later time.

 

Launch the installation 

When everything is configured, you can launch the installation by pressing “Add”.

Selecting “ADD” to launch installation after configuration is complete.