The AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification exam is specifically designed for those individuals who have experience in implementing, maintaining, and continuously monitoring Microsoft Azure solutions, including other important services related to storage, computation, security, and networking. This exam tests all the skills required to become a successful Azure administrator.
Exam Prerequisites
To be able to take the Azure Administrator Associate exam, you must have six months of hands-on experience in Azure administration. Along with that, you must also possess a strong and comprehensive understanding of all the services across the complete IT cycle. You must also have a deep knowledge of Azure services, governance, workloads, and security.
You must also be capable of taking requests regarding infrastructural applications, services, and the environment. You should also be able to suggest recommendations on services that will result in optimal performance and scale.
Additionally, you should also have some experience in PowerShell, Azure portal, Azure CLI, and Azure Resource Manager templates.
About the Certification
The Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification exam is relatively easier as compared to other Microsoft Azure certifications. It is a role-based exam and assesses your ability to understand advanced topics.
This Azure certification tests your knowledge and skills in the following 5 areas:
- Manage Azure identities and governance
- Implement and manage storage
- Deploy and manage Azure compute resources
- Configure and manage virtual networking
- Monitor and backup Azure resources
Exam Pattern
The exam is for 3 hours and consists of around 60 questions. In order to qualify, you need to score at least 700-1000 points. The certification exam is divided into separate sections, and to qualify, you need to pass each section. These sections usually comprise multiple-choice questions, case studies, yes or no type questions, and hands-on sections.
The exam fee is Rs. 4,800, and you can take the exam at your home or at any Pearson Exam Center. The Microsoft Azure Administrator certification is valid for 2 years.
The exam covers mainly 5 topics, and they are as follows:
- Manage Azure Identities and Governance (15-20%)
This section covers hybrid identity, and you will be examined on the basis of on-premise Active Directory and Azure Active Directory. In addition, your ability to access control and efficiently manage the Azure subscriptions, security, usage optimization, and alerts is also tested.
It measures the following skills:
- Manage Azure AD objects
Create Azure users and groups in Azure Active Directory
Manage users and groups in Azure Active Directory
Secure Azure Active Directory users with multi-factor authentication
Allow users to reset their password using Azure Active Directory self-service password reset
Secure your application with OpenID Connect and Azure AD
- Manage role-based access control
Secure your Azure resources with role-based access control
Design custom roles for Azure resources using role-based access control
Manage access to an Azure subscription with role-based access control
Secure your Azure resources with role-based access control
- Manage subscriptions and governance
Implement and monitor infrastructural standards with Azure Policy
Evaluate costs and design budgets with Azure Cost Management
Estimate costs and optimize spending for Azure
Control and organize Azure resources with Azure Resource Manager
- Implement and Manage Storage (10-15%)
This section tests your ability to manage storage solutions. As an Azure administrator, you have to do both, Infrastructure and Platform. You also have to learn about storage accounts management, creation, and implement storage applications in detail.
It measures the following skills:
- Manage storage accounts
Create an Azure storage account
Secure your Azure storage account
Make your application storage available
Check, diagnose, and troubleshoot your Azure storage
- Manage data in Azure storage
Copy and move blobs from one storage account or container to another from the command line
Move huge amounts of data to the cloud with Azure Data Box family
- Configure Azure files ad Azure blob storage
Create an Azure file share
Optimize storage performance and costs using Blob storage tiers
- Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources (25-30%)
This section mainly focuses on your ability and knowledge of hybrid networking. It discusses the creation, configuration, availability, and scalability of Microsoft VMs. It consists of questions related to the design and configuration of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and Azure Container Service (ACS).
It measures the following skills:
- Configure VMs for high scalability and availability
Create a scalable application with virtual machine scale sets
- Automate deployment and configuration of VMs
Core Cloud Services- Manage services with the Azure portal
Administer and arrange Azure resources with Azure resource manager
Build Azure resource manager templates
Automate Azure tasks with PowerShell
Design and deploy ARM templates using the Azure portal
Create a Windows VM from a Resource Manager template
- Create and configure VMs
Select the right disk storage for your VM workload
Add and size disks in Azure VMs
Move VMs from one resource group to another
Virtual networks and VMs in Azure
Sizes for VMs in Azure
Protect your VMs settings with Azure Automation State Configuration
- Create and configure web applications
Host a web application with Azure App service
Stage a web app deployment for testing using App Service deployment slots
Scale an App Service web app
Meet changing web app performance requirements with autoscale rules
Capture and view page load times in your Azure web app with Application insights
- Configure and Manage Virtual Networking (30-35%)
This section includes questions related to configuring public and private IP addresses, VNet peering, configuring Azure DNS, network interfaces, and customizing DNS settings.
It measures the following skills:
- Implement and manage virtual networking
Fundamentals of computer networking
Distribute and integrate your services across Azure virtual networks
- Configure name resolution
Azure DNS documentation
Create an Azure private DNS
- Secure access to virtual networks
Secure and isolate access to Azure resources
Deploy and configure Azure firewall with the help of the Azure portal
Create an Azure Bastion host
- Configure load balancing
Manage and control traffic flow
Improve your application’s resiliency and scalability
Enhance your service’s availability
- Monitor and backup Azure resources (10-15%)
Here, you will find questions on Azure resources, Azure monitor, log analysis, set up charts, and metric interpretation. Implementation of backup and recovery of Azure VMs is also an important topic.
It measures the following skills:
- Monitor resources using Azure Monitor
Examine your Azure infrastructure
Improve incident response
Monitor, diagnose, and troubleshoot your Azure storage
- Implement backup and recovery
Protect your VMs using Azure Backup
Back up your Azure SQL database
Protect your Azure infrastructure
Study Material
Microsoft Documentation, Microsoft Learn portal, and Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate Certification by NetCom are some of the best learning portals. There are also several video learning courses you can go for.
The most important step is taking practice exams regularly. This will help you evaluate your progress and know where you stand.
The Azure Administrator Associate certification exam is ideal for those who have some experience in implementing, maintaining, and monitoring an Azure environment. It is moderately difficult, and with the right Azure training, you will be able to crack the exam easily. There are numerous courses available online, and you can choose the one that best fits your time and preferences.
