AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate Courses

AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate – Comprehensive Guide

The AZ-104 certification is a crucial credential for professionals aspiring to become Microsoft Azure administrators. This certification validates your ability to manage Azure resources, implement and manage storage, configure and manage virtual networks, and monitor and back up Azure resources. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the course content and preparation tips for the AZ-104 exam.

Course Overview

The AZ-104 course is designed to help you master the skills necessary to become a proficient Azure administrator. It covers a wide range of topics, including Azure identity, governance, storage, computing, and networking. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the course modules:

Module 1: Managing Azure Identities and Governance

1. Azure Active Directory (AD)

   • Overview of Azure AD
   • Managing Azure AD users and groups
   • Configuring Azure AD Join

2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

   • Understanding RBAC
   • Assigning roles and managing role assignments
   • Creating custom roles

3. Azure Policies and Blueprints

   • Implementing and managing Azure policies
   • Creating and managing Azure Blueprints

4. Subscription and Resource Management

   • Managing Azure subscriptions
   • Configuring resource groups
   • Using tags for resource management

Module 2: Implementing and Managing Storage

1. Azure Storage Accounts

   • Creating and configuring storage accounts
   • Implementing blob storage
   • Managing storage account keys and shared access signatures (SAS)

2. Data Management

   • Configuring Azure Files and Azure Blob Storage
   • Implementing Azure File Sync
   • Managing data using Azure Storage Explorer

3. Backup and Recovery

   • Configuring and managing Azure Backup
   • Implementing Azure Site Recovery
   • Performing backup and restore operations

Module 3: Deploying and Managing Azure Compute Resources

1. Virtual Machines (VMs)

   • Creating and configuring VMs
   • Automating VM deployment using ARM templates
   • Managing VM backups and monitoring performance

2. Azure App Services

   • Deploying and managing Azure App Services
   • Configuring scaling settings in an App Service plan
   • Implementing SSL certificates

3. Container Services

   • Deploying and managing Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
   • Implementing Azure Container Instances (ACI)

Module 4: Configuring and Managing Virtual Networks

1. Virtual Network Configuration

   • Creating and configuring virtual networks
   • Implementing subnets and network security groups (NSGs)
   • Configuring Azure DNS and custom DNS settings

2. Network Security

   • Implementing Azure Firewall
   • Configuring Azure Bastion for secure VM access
   • Managing network traffic with Azure Load Balancer and Application Gateway

3. Connectivity Solutions

   • Implementing site-to-site and point-to-site VPN connections
   • Configuring ExpressRoute
   • Managing Azure Virtual WAN

Module 5: Monitoring and Backup

1. Monitoring Azure Resources

   • Configuring Azure Monitor
   • Implementing and managing Azure alerts
   • Analyzing metrics and logs with Azure Log Analytics

2. Backup Strategies

   • Implementing Azure Backup for VMs and data
   • Configuring backup policies
   • Managing backup reports and alerts

3. Disaster Recovery

   • Configuring Azure Site Recovery
   • Implementing failover and failback strategies
   • Testing disaster recovery plans

Recommended Study Resources

1. Microsoft Learn: Free, self-paced learning paths and modules for AZ-104.
2. Books:
   • "Exam Ref AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator" by Harshul Patel
   • "Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam Ref AZ-104" by Daniel Scott and Mike Pfeiffer
3. Online Courses: Platforms like GetEge, Udemy, and Pluralsight offer comprehensive courses tailored for AZ-104 exam preparation.

Exam Preparation Tips

1. Hands-On Practice: Gain practical experience by working on Azure services and solutions.
2. Regular Review: Consistently review key concepts and services.
3. Practice Tests: Take practice exams to assess your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
4. Community Engagement: Join Azure forums, attend webinars, and participate in study groups for insights and support.

Conclusion

The AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification is a valuable credential for IT professionals aiming to advance their careers in cloud administration. By following this comprehensive course guide, you will be well-prepared to pass the certification exam and excel in managing Azure resources and services. Start your journey today and take a significant step towards becoming a proficient Azure administrator. Happy learning!