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Ultimate Guide to Passing the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam Introduction
What is AZ-104?
Overview of the AZ-104 exam
Certification benefits and career opportunities in Azure administration.
Importance of Azure skills in the current IT landscape.
Who Should Take the AZ-104 Exam?
Target audience: IT professionals, system administrators, cloud engineers.
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of cloud computing, general IT knowledge, and prior experience with Azure.
1. AZ-104 Exam Overview What’s Covered in the AZ-104 Exam?
Exam Objectives:
The exam tests your ability to manage Azure resources, implement and manage storage, configure virtual networks, manage Azure identities, and more.
Key Skills Measured:
Manage Azure Subscriptions and Resources Implement and Manage Storage Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources Configure and Manage Virtual Networking Monitor and Back Up Azure Resources Manage Azure Active Directory (AD) and Identities 2. Exam Domains and Topics 1. Manage Azure Subscriptions and Resources (15-20%)
Creating and Managing Azure Resource Groups
Resource groups, naming conventions, and resource organization.
Managing Azure Subscriptions
Assigning roles, configuring billing, managing access.
Managing Azure Resources
Resource tags, policies, locks, and resource costs.
2. Implement and Manage Storage (10-15%)
Azure Storage Accounts
Types of storage accounts (Blob, File, Disk, etc.), performance tiers.
Azure Blob Storage
Containers, blobs, Azure Storage Explorer, lifecycle management.
Azure Files and Share Services
File share management, migration, and data sharing.
3. Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources (25-30%)
Virtual Machines (VMs)
VM deployment, scaling, availability sets, VM images.
Azure App Services
Hosting web apps, scaling apps, managing application settings.
Containers and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Working with Docker, deploying and managing Kubernetes clusters.
4. Configure and Manage Virtual Networking (20-25%)
Virtual Networks (VNet)
VNets, subnets, peering, IP addressing, DNS.
Network Security
Network security groups (NSG), firewalls, load balancing.
VPN and ExpressRoute
Configuring VPN gateways, site-to-site connections.
5. Monitor and Back Up Azure Resources (10-15%)
Azure Monitor
Alerts, metrics, diagnostic settings, Log Analytics.
Backup and Restore Solutions
Azure Backup, Site Recovery, restore points.
6. Manage Azure Active Directory and Identities (15-20%)
Azure Active Directory (AD)
Managing users, groups, roles, and directory synchronization.
Identity and Access Management
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Conditional Access, multi-factor authentication (MFA).
3. How to Prepare for the AZ-104 Exam Study Materials
Microsoft Official Learn Platform
Free courses, modules, and learning paths offered by Microsoft.
Exam Ref: AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator
Official textbook for in-depth study.
Online Courses and Video Tutorials
Platforms like Pluralsight, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning for structured courses.
Practice Tests
Why Practice Exams Matter
Familiarity with the exam format, timing, and question types.
Recommended Resources:
MeasureUp practice tests, Whizlabs practice exams, or Microsoft’s own practice exam.
Hands-On Experience
Get Practical with Azure
Set up an Azure account (Microsoft offers free trials and credits).
Create virtual machines, storage accounts, and experiment with networking.
4. Tips for Passing the AZ-104 Exam 1. Focus on Exam Domains
Prioritize topics based on their weight and complexity. Focus on core areas like managing Azure VMs, networking, and Azure Active Directory.
2. Understand Azure’s Core Services
Get a good grasp on how Azure handles services like storage, compute, networking, and identity management.
3. Use the Microsoft Learn Platform
Engage with hands-on labs, virtual machines, and scenarios that directly mimic the exam experience.
4. Don’t Skip the Practice Tests
Simulate real exam conditions with timed practice tests. Review all explanations thoroughly after completing them.
5. Understand the Azure Portal
The exam will test practical knowledge, so become familiar with the Azure portal and how to configure services and resources.
5. Day Before the Exam Final Preparation Checklist
Review Key Concepts: Quickly revisit your notes, flashcards, or key study materials.Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Ensure you’re well-rested for the exam day.Double-Check the Exam Details: Make sure you have all necessary identification and are familiar with the exam’s online format (if applicable). 6. After the Exam: What’s Next? How to Check Your Results
Results are typically available immediately after completing the exam. Microsoft will provide a score report with feedback.
Certification and Badges
Once passed, you’ll receive a digital badge for your certification.
Display your badge on professional networks like LinkedIn to showcase your skills.
Continuing Education and Career Paths
Explore advanced certifications such as AZ-305 (Azure Architect) or AZ-400 (Azure DevOps) .
Stay up to date with Azure updates and best practices through continuous learning.
Final Thoughts:
The AZ-104 exam is an excellent step for anyone looking to build a career in cloud administration. With the right preparation, hands-on practice, and understanding of core Azure services, you’ll be well on your way to earning your Azure Administrator Associate certification.
Good Luck on Your Exam!
Remember, consistency and practice are key. Stay confident and continue learning—Azure has a lot to offer!
