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Onboarding devices using streamlined connectivity for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

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Applies to:

The Defender for Endpoint client might require the use of proxied connections to relevant cloud services. This article describes the streamlined device connectivity method, the prerequisites and provides additional information for verifying connectivity using the new destination(s).

To simplify network configuration and management, you now have the option of onboarding new devices to Defender for Endpoint using a reduced URL set or static IP ranges. For more information on migrating previously onboarded devices, see Migrating devices to streamlined connectivity.

The Defender for Endpoint-recognized simplified domain: *.endpoint.security.microsoft.com consolidates connectivity to the following core Defender for Endpoint services:

  • Cloud-delivered protection
  • Malware sample submission storage
  • Auto-IR sample storage
  • Defender for Endpoint command & control
  • Defender for Endpoint cyber and diagnostic data

For more information on preparing your environment and the updated list of destinations, see STEP 1: Configure your network environment to ensure connectivity with Defender for Endpoint service.

To support network devices without hostname resolution or wildcard support, you can alternatively configure connectivity using dedicated Defender for Endpoint static IP ranges. For more information, see Configure connectivity using static IP ranges.

Note

  • The streamlined connectivity method will not change how Microsoft Defender for Endpoint functions on a device nor will it change the end-user experience. Only the URLs or IPs that a device uses to connect to the service will change.
  • There currently is no plan to deprecate the old, consolidated service URLs. Devices onboarded with "standard" connectivity will continue to function. It is important to ensure connectivity to *.endpoint.security.microsoft.com is and remains possible, as future services will require it. This new URL is included in all required URL lists.
  • Connections to the service leverage certificate pinning and TLS. It is not supported to "break and inspect" traffic. In addition, connections are initiated from a device context, not a user context. Enforcing proxy (user) authentication will disallow (break) connectivity in most cases.

Before you begin

Devices must meet specific prerequisites to use the streamlined connectivity method for Defender for Endpoint. Ensure the prerequisites are met before proceeding with onboarding.

Prerequisites

License:

  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1
  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2
  • Microsoft Defender for Business
  • Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management

Minimum KB update (Windows)

  • SENSE version: 10.8040.*/ March 8, 2022 or higher (see table)

Microsoft Defender Antivirus versions (Windows)

  • Antimalware Client: 4.18.2211.5
  • Engine: 1.1.19900.2
  • Antivirus (Security Intelligence): 1.391.345.0

Defender Antivirus versions (macOS/Linux)

Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows 10 version 1809 or later. Windows 10 versions 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803 are supported on the streamlined onboarding package but require a different URL list, see streamlined URL sheet
  • Windows 11
  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2016, fully updated running Defender for Endpoint modern unified solution (installation through MSI).
  • macOS supported versions with MDE product version 101.24022.*+
  • Linux supported versions with MDE product version 101.24022.*+

Important

  • Devices running on MMA agent are not supported on the streamlined connectivity method and will need to continue using the standard URL set (Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 MMA, Server 2012 & 2016 not upgraded to modern unified agent).
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 and Server 2016 will need to upgrade to unified agent to leverage the new method.
  • Windows 10 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803 can leverage the new onboarding option but will use a longer list. For more information, see the streamlined URL sheet.
Windows OS Minimum KB Required (March 8, 2022)
Windows 11 KB5011493 (March 8, 2022)
Windows 10 1809, Windows Server 2019 KB5011503 (March 8, 2022)
Windows 10 19H2 (1909) KB5011485 (March 8, 2022)
Windows 10 20H2, 21H2 KB5011487 (March 8, 2022)
Windows 10 22H2 KB5020953 (October 28, 2022)
Windows 10 1803* < end of service >
Windows 10 1709* < end of service >
Windows Server 2022 KB5011497 (March 8, 2022)
Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016* Unified Agent

Streamlined connectivity process

The following illustration shows the streamlined connectivity process and the corresponding stages:

Illustration of streamlined connectivity process

Stage 1. Configure your network environment for cloud connectivity

Once you confirm prerequisites are met, ensure your network environment is properly configured to support the streamlined connectivity method. Follow the steps outlined in Configure your network environment to ensure connectivity with Defender for Endpoint service.

Defender for Endpoint service URLs consolidated under simplified domain should no longer be required for connectivity. However, some URLs aren't included in the consolidation.

Streamlined connectivity allows you to use the following option to configure cloud connectivity:

Option 1: Configure connectivity using the simplified domain

Configure your environment to allow connections to the simplified Defender for Endpoint domain: *.endpoint.security.microsoft.com. For more information, see Configure your network environment to ensure connectivity with Defender for Endpoint service.

You must maintain connectivity with remaining required services listed under the updated list. For example, the certification revocation list, Windows Update, SmartScreen services may also need to be accessible dependent on your current networking infrastructure and patching approach.

Option 2: Configure connectivity using static IP ranges

With streamlined connectivity, IP-based solutions can be used as an alternative to URLs. These IPs cover the following services:

  • MAPS
  • Malware Sample Submission Storage
  • Auto-IR Sample Storage
  • Defender for Endpoint Command and Control

Important

The EDR Cyber data service (OneDsCollector) must be configured separately if you are using the IP method (this service is only consolidated on a URL level).You must also maintain connectivity with other required services including SmartScreen, CRL, Windows Update, and other services.

In order to stay up to date on IP ranges, it's recommended to refer to the following Azure service tags for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint services. The latest IP ranges are found in the service tag. For more information, see Azure IP ranges.

Service tag name Defender for Endpoint services included
MicrosoftDefenderForEndpoint Cloud-delivered protection, malware sample submission storage, Auto-IR sample storage, Defender for Endpoint command and control.
OneDsCollector Defender for Endpoint cyber and diagnostic data

Note: The traffic under this service tag isn't limited to Defender for Endpoint and can include diagnostic data traffic for other Microsoft services.

The following table lists the current static IP ranges covered by the MicrosoftDefenderForEndpoint service tag. For latest list, refer to the Azure service tags documentation.

Geo IP Ranges
US 20.15.141.0/24
20.242.181.0/24
20.10.127.0/24
13.83.125.0/24
EU 4.208.13.0/24
20.8.195.0/24
UK 20.26.63.224/28
20.254.173.48/28
AU 68.218.120.64/28
20.211.228.80/28

Important

In compliance with Defender for Endpoint security and compliance standards, your data will be processed and stored in accordance with your tenant's physical location. Based on client location, traffic may flow through any of these IP regions (which correspond to Azure datacenter regions). For more information, see Data storage and privacy.

Stage 2. Configure your devices to connect to Defender for Endpoint service

Configure devices to communicate through your connectivity infrastructure. Ensure devices meet prerequisites and have updated sensor and Microsoft Defender Antivirus versions. For more information, see Configure device proxy and Internet connection settings .

Stage 3. Verify client connectivity preonboarding

For more information, see Verify client connectivity.

The following preonboarding checks can be run on both Windows and Xplat MDE Client analyzer: Download the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint client analyzer.

To test streamlined connectivity for devices not yet onboarded to Defender for Endpoint, you can use the Client Analyzer for Windows using the following commands:

  • Run mdeclientanalyzer.cmd -o <path to cmd file> from within MDEClientAnalyzer folder. The command uses parameters from onboarding package to test connectivity.

  • Run mdeclientanalyzer.cmd -g <GW_US, GW_UK, GW_EU> , where parameter is of GW_US, GW_EU, GW_UK. GW refers to the streamlined option. Run with applicable tenant geo.

As a supplementary check, you can also use the client analyzer to test whether a device meets prerequisites: https://aka.ms/MDEClientAnalyzerPreview

Note

For devices not yet onboarded to Defender for Endpoint, client analyzer will test against standard set of URLs. To test the streamlined approach, you will need to run with the switches listed earlier in this article.

Stage 4. Apply the new onboarding package required for streamlined connectivity

Once you configure your network to communicate with the full list of services, you can begin onboarding devices using the streamlined method.

Before proceeding, confirm devices meet the prerequisites and have updated sensor and Microsoft Defender Antivirus versions.

  1. To get the new package, in Microsoft Defender XDR, select Settings > Endpoints > Device management> Onboarding.

  2. Select the applicable operating system and choose "Streamlined" from the Connectivity type dropdown menu.

  3. For new devices (not onboarded to Defender for Endpoint) supported under this method, follow onboarding steps from previous sections using the updated onboarded package with your preferred deployment method:

  1. Exclude devices from any existing onboarding policies that use the standard onboarding package.

For migrating devices already onboarded to Defender for Endpoint, see Migrating devices to the streamlined connectivity. You must reboot your device and follow specific guidance here.