The Microsoft AZ-104 exam, titled “Microsoft Azure Administrator,” is a crucial certification for IT professionals aiming to demonstrate their expertise in managing and maintaining Microsoft Azure environments. As organizations increasingly adopt cloud technologies, the demand for skilled Azure administrators has surged. The AZ-104 certification validates an individual’s ability to perform the essential duties of an Azure administrator, including implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure solutions.
Overview of the AZ-104 Exam
The Microsoft AZ-104 exam is designed to assess the knowledge and skills required to manage cloud services that span storage, security, networking, and compute capabilities within Microsoft Azure. The certification targets IT professionals who have hands-on experience with Azure and a solid understanding of core services, workloads, security, and governance.
Exam Objectives
The exam objectives are broken down into several key domains:
Manage Azure Identities and Governance (15-20%)
- Manage Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) objects (users, groups, and devices)
- Manage role-based access control (RBAC)
- Manage subscriptions and governance
- Implement and manage hybrid identities
Implement and Manage Storage (10-15%)
- Manage storage accounts
- Manage data in Azure Storage
- Configure Azure files and Azure Blob Storage
- Implement Azure Backup
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources (25-30%)
- Configure VMs for high availability and scalability
- Automate deployment and configuration of VMs
- Create and configure VMs
- Create and configure containers
- Create and configure Web Apps
Configure and Manage Virtual Networking (30-35%)
- Implement and manage virtual networking
- Configure name resolution
- Secure access to virtual networks
- Configure load balancing
- Monitor and troubleshoot virtual networking
- Integrate on-premises networks with Azure virtual networks
Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources (10-15%)
- Monitor resources by using Azure Monitor
- Implement backup and recovery
Prerequisites
While there are no official prerequisites for taking the Microsoft AZ-104 exam, Microsoft recommends that candidates have at least six months of hands-on experience administering Azure, along with a strong understanding of core Azure services, Azure workloads, security, and governance. Familiarity with PowerShell, the Command Line Interface (CLI), Azure Portal, and ARM templates is also beneficial.
Study Resources
Microsoft Learn
- Microsoft Learn offers a comprehensive collection of learning paths and modules tailored to the AZ-104 exam objectives. These free resources provide interactive, hands-on learning experiences.
Official Microsoft Courseware
- Course AZ-104T00-A: Microsoft Azure Administrator
- This instructor-led course covers the core topics and skills required for the exam, providing in-depth, practical knowledge.
Practice Exams
- Utilizing practice exams can help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam format and identify areas where they need further study. Several platforms offer practice tests, including Microsoft and third-party providers.
Books and Study Guides
- Several books and study guides are available that cover the AZ-104 exam objectives in detail. These resources often include practice questions and exercises to reinforce learning.
Exam Details
- Exam Name: Microsoft Azure Administrator
- Exam Code: AZ-104
- Number of Questions: 40-60 questions
- Duration: 150 minutes
- Format: Multiple-choice, drag and drop, case studies, and performance-based questions
- Passing Score: 700 out of 1000
- Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish
Certification Benefits
Achieving the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification demonstrates a candidate’s ability to manage Azure environments effectively. It validates skills that are essential for roles such as Azure Administrator, Cloud Administrator, and Infrastructure Engineer. This certification can lead to career advancement opportunities and is highly valued by employers seeking professionals with proven Azure expertise.
Conclusion
The Microsoft AZ-104 exam is a vital step for IT professionals looking to validate their skills and advance their careers in cloud administration. With thorough preparation and hands-on experience, candidates can achieve certification and demonstrate their capability to manage and maintain Azure environments efficiently. As the demand for cloud professionals continues to grow, the AZ-104 certification provides a competitive edge and opens doors to numerous opportunities in the field of cloud computing.
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