Microsoft Online (MSOL) and Azure Entra are both cloud-based services provided by Microsoft, but they serve different purposes and target different aspects of cloud computing and identity management. Here's a breakdown of their differences:

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Microsoft Online (MSOL)

Purpose:

• MSOL, often referred to in the context of the Microsoft Online Services Sign-In Assistant, is primarily focused on enabling authentication and access to various Microsoft cloud services. It is a component that helps facilitate sign-ins to Microsoft services like Office 365.

Key Features:

• Authentication and Sign-In: Facilitates secure sign-in to Microsoft cloud services.

• Directory Services: Integrates with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to manage users, groups, and other directory services.

• Legacy: Often associated with older or legacy applications and services that still require its use for authentication purposes.

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Azure Entra

Purpose:

• Azure Entra is a broader suite of identity and access management (IAM) services under Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. It is designed to provide comprehensive identity management solutions, including security, compliance, and governance features.

Key Features:

• Identity Management: Provides advanced identity management capabilities, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and conditional access policies.

• Access Management: Manages access to applications and resources both on-premises and in the cloud.

• Security and Compliance: Offers enhanced security features, such as identity protection and risk-based conditional access, along with compliance tools for regulatory requirements.

• Integration with Azure AD: Azure Entra integrates deeply with Azure Active Directory, extending its functionality to provide more comprehensive identity solutions.

• Decentralized Identity: Supports decentralized identity solutions, allowing users to control their digital identities.

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Summary

• MSOL is primarily focused on authentication and sign-in to Microsoft cloud services, often used in legacy scenarios.

• Azure Entra offers a modern, comprehensive suite of identity and access management services, building on and extending the capabilities of Azure Active Directory to provide robust security, compliance, and governance features.

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Azure Entra represents the evolution of Microsoft's identity and access management solutions, incorporating modern security practices and technologies to meet the demands of today's cloud-first, mobile-first world.