AZ-104, also known as Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam, is a certification designed for IT professionals who manage cloud services offered by Microsoft Azure. This certification is crucial for anyone aiming to demonstrate their skills in Azure administration, which is vital for businesses leveraging Microsoft’s cloud solutions.
Overview of AZ-104
The AZ-104 exam is part of Microsoft’s certification path for Azure, targeting individuals who want to validate their expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring Azure environments. The certification is intended for professionals who handle cloud infrastructure and services within their organizations.
Key Responsibilities and Skills
A certified Azure Administrator must be adept in several areas. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Managing Azure Subscriptions and Resources: Administrators should efficiently manage subscriptions, organize resources, and oversee resource groups and management groups. This includes tasks such as configuring resource policies and ensuring optimal utilization of resources.
- Implementing and Managing Storage Solutions: This involves configuring Azure storage accounts, managing data storage solutions, and ensuring data redundancy and security. Proficiency in Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, and Azure Disk Storage is crucial.
- Deploying and Managing Virtual Machines (VMs): Administrators must deploy and configure VMs, manage VM availability, and ensure effective networking for virtual machines. Knowledge of VM scaling, disk management, and backup strategies is essential.
- Managing Virtual Networks: Understanding how to configure and manage virtual networks, VPNs, and network security groups is vital. This includes setting up network peering, managing DNS settings, and configuring network traffic.
- Managing Azure Active Directory (AD): Azure AD is a core component of Azure services, providing identity and access management. Administrators need to manage user accounts, groups, and role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure secure and efficient access to resources.
- Implementing and Managing Security and Compliance: Azure Administrators must enforce security policies, manage security alerts, and ensure compliance with organizational policies. This includes configuring firewalls, managing Azure Security Center, and applying encryption and security best practices.
- Monitoring and Backing Up Azure Resources: Effective monitoring of Azure resources through tools like Azure Monitor and Azure Log Analytics is crucial. Administrators must also implement backup strategies using Azure Backup and Site Recovery to ensure data integrity and availability.