Tag: Certification

Nov162021November 16, 2021November 15, 20210Commentby Thomas Maurer
Learn Live Hybrid Infrastructure Study Hall

Learn Live: Hybrid Infrastructure Study Hall

Posted in Certification, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Windows Server

A couple of weeks ago Microsoft announced new Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification, and now we are offering some live learning experience. I am happy to let you know that our team and I will present on a couple of Microsoft Learn Live sessions on Microsoft Learn TV.

Calling all Windows Server administrators! Join us on Learn TV for this new Windows Server Hybrid study hall series. This seven-part weekly series will answer your questions live, walk through how to configure advanced Windows Server services using on-premises, hybrid, and cloud technologies, and walk through Microsoft Learn modules related to the new Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification. The series will kick off at Ignite on November 2nd and will have a new episode every Thursday (and a few Tuesdays) through December 16th.

Learn Live: Hybrid Infrastructure Study Hall

We have some cool sessions available:

Ignite 2021 Learn Live: Monitor Windows Server IaaS Virtual Machines and hybrid instances: November 2 – Episode 01 (3:00pm PT – 5:00pm PT)

Azure Monitor can be used for virtual machines (VMs) to observe performance, diagnostic, and dependency information about Windows Server Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) VMs. This session will cover enabling Azure Monitor for VMs, how to use Azure Monitor to collect data in a hybrid environment, how to use it to monitor VMs, and how to integrate Azure Monitor with Operations Manager.

Manage hybrid workloads with Azure Arc: November 18 – Episode 02 (4:00pm PT – 5:30pm PT)

Learn how to describe Azure Arc, implement Azure Arc with on-premises server instances, deploy Azure policies with Azure Arc, and use role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access to Log Analytics data. In this episode, you will:

  • Explain how to onboard on-premises Windows Server instances in Azure Arc.
  • Connect hybrid machines to Azure from the Azure portal and use Azure Arc to manage devices.
  • Restrict access using RBAC.

Implement hybrid identity with Windows Server: November 25 – Episode 03 (4:00pm PT – 5:30pm PT)

Learn how to configure an Azure environment so that Windows IaaS workloads requiring Active Directory are supported. You’ll also learn to integrate on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) environment into Azure. In this episode, you will:

  • Select an Azure AD integration model.
  • Plan for Azure AD integration.
  • Prepare on-premises AD DS for directory synchronization.
  • Install and configure directory synchronization using Azure AD Connect.
  • And more!

Implement hybrid network infrastructure: November 30 – Episode 04 (1:00pm PT – 2:30pm PT)

Learn how to connect your on-premises environment to Azure, implement subnets and routing between your on-premises and cloud environments, and ensure that workloads in the cloud and on-premises perform DNS resolution to locate each other. In this episode, you will:

  • Describe Azure network topologies.
  • Implement an Azure VPN.
  • Explain how to create a route-based VPN gateway using the Azure portal.
  • Implement Azure ExpressRoute.
  • Implement an Azure WAN.
  • Implement DNS resolution in hybrid environments.

Implement a hybrid file server infrastructure: December 02 – Episode 05 (4:00pm PT – 5:30pm PT)

Learn how to deploy Azure File Sync, migrate from DFS, and use Storage Migration Services to migrate file servers to Azure. In this episode, you will:

  • Describe and Configure Azure file services.
  • Configure connectivity to Azure file services.
  • Describe and Implement Azure File Sync.
  • And more!

Manage Azure updates: December 07 – Episode 06 (1:00pm PT – 2:30pm PT)

Learn how to enable Azure Update Management, deploy updates, review an update assessment, and manage updates for your Azure VMs. In this episode, you will:

  • Describe Azure updates.
  • Enable Update Management.
  • Deploy updates.
  • Review an update assessment.
  • Manage updates for your Azure VMs.

Implement hybrid backup and recovery with Windows Server IaaS: December 16 – Episode 07 (12:00pm PT – 1:30pm PT)

Learn about Azure Backup before learning to implement Recovery Vaults and Azure Backup Policies. You’ll also learn how to implement Windows IaaS VM recovery, perform backup and restore of on-premises workloads, and manage Azure VM backups. In this episode, you will:

  • Describe Azure Backup.
  • Implement Recovery Vaults.
  • Implement Azure Backup policies.
  • Recover Windows IaaS VMs.
  • And more!

Want to join the Learn Live: Windows Server Hybrid Infrastructure Study Hall, and prepare for the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification? You can lern more here on Microsoft Learn!


Oct142021October 14, 2021October 14, 20213Commentsby Thomas Maurer
DP-420 Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Developer Certification Exam Study Guide

DP-420 Study Guide Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Developer

Posted in Certification, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure

Microsoft just announced a new DP-420 Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB. That is why I want to share my new updated DP-420 Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty Certification Exam Study Guide with you.  If you are passing the DP-420 exam, you will earn the Microsoft Certified Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty certification, which you understand how to implement and manage the operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions built with Azure CosmosDB and Microsoft Azure Data Services.

Typical responsibilities for developers in this role include designing and implementing data models and data distribution, loading data into a database created with Azure Cosmos DB, and optimizing and maintaining the solution. These professionals integrate the solution with other Azure services. They also design, implement, and monitor solutions that consider security, availability, resilience, and performance requirements. Professionals in this role have experience developing apps for Azure and working with Azure Cosmos DB database technologies. They should be proficient at developing applications by using the Core (SQL) API and SDKs, writing efficient queries and creating appropriate index policies, provisioning and managing resources in Azure, and creating server-side objects with JavaScript. They should also be able to interpret JSON, read C# or Java code, and use PowerShell.

To learn and prepare for the exam, I usually use a couple of online resources, mainly Microsoft Docs and Microsoft Learn, which I am going to share with you. You can find more information about how I prepare for a Microsoft Certification exam on my blog post: How to prepare and pass Microsoft Certification Exam.

Also, check out other Microsoft Azure Certification Exam Study Guides:

Here is my DP-420 Study Guide Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Associate Certification Exam Study Guide

It is essential to get familiar with the exam objectives and skills measured first. That is why I recommend reading the description of the exam and the skills measured.

DP-420 Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB
A candidate for the Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty certification should have subject matter expertise designing, implementing, and monitoring cloud-native applications that store and manage data.
Responsibilities for this role include designing and implementing data models and data distribution, loading data into an Azure Cosmos DB database, and optimizing and maintaining the solution. These professionals integrate the solution with other Azure services. They also design, implement, and monitor solutions that consider security, availability, resilience, and performance requirements.
A candidate for this exam must have solid knowledge and experience developing apps for Azure and working with Azure Cosmos DB database technologies. They should be proficient at developing applications by using the Core (SQL) API and SDKs, writing efficient queries and creating appropriate index policies, provisioning and managing resources in Azure, and creating server-side objects with JavaScript. They should be able to interpret JSON, read C# or Java code, and use PowerShell.

Microsoft Docs

The high-level view of the skills measured in the exam:

  • Design and Implement Data Models (35–40%)
  • Design and Implement Data Distribution (5–10%)
  • Integrate an Azure Cosmos DB Solution (5–10%)
  • Maintain an Azure Cosmos DB Solution (25–30%)

You can find more information on the exam website.

Free Online Microsoft Learn DP-420 Exam Study Guide resources

Microsoft Learn provides you with free online training and learning paths for different Microsoft technologies. They not just offer reading material, but also control questions and free online labs. Here are some relevant Microsoft Learn modules and learning paths for the DP-420 Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Certification Exam. Microsoft Learn is an important part of my DP-420 Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB exam study guide.

The team also just made it easier to prepare with the new DP-420 related learning paths on Microsoft Learn. I highly recommend that you take these for your DP-420 exam preparation.

Microsoft Docs DP-420 Azure CosmosDB exam study guide resources

One thing I always used to prepare for my Microsoft exams is Microsoft Docs. Here are the relevant Microsoft Docs which I used to prepare and study for the DP-420 exam.

Design and Implement Data Models (35–40%)

Design and implement a non-relational data model for Azure Cosmos DB Core API

  • Develop a design by storing multiple entity types in the same container
  • Develop a design by storing multiple related entities in the same document
  • Develop a model that denormalizes data across documents
  • Develop a design by referencing between documents
  • Identify primary and unique keys
  • Identify data and associated access patterns
  • Specify a default TTL on a container for a transactional store

Design a data partitioning strategy for Azure Cosmos DB Core API

  • Choose a partition strategy based on a specific workload
  • Choose a partition key
  • Plan for transactions when choosing a partition key
  • Evaluate the cost of using a cross-partition query
  • Calculate and evaluate data distribution based on partition key selection
  • Calculate and evaluate throughput distribution based on partition key selection
  • Construct and implement a synthetic partition key
  • Design partitioning for workloads that require multiple partition keys

Plan and implement sizing and scaling for a database created with Azure Cosmos DB

  • Evaluate the throughput and data storage requirements for a specific workload
  • Choose between serverless and provisioned models
  • Choose when to use database-level provisioned throughput
  • Design for granular scale units and resource governance
  • Evaluate the cost of the global distribution of data
  • Configure throughput for Azure Cosmos DB by using the Azure portal

Implement client connectivity options in the Azure Cosmos DB SDK

  • Choose a connectivity mode (gateway versus direct)
  • Implement a connectivity mode
  • Create a connection to a database
  • Enable offline development by using the Azure Cosmos DB emulator
  • Handle connection errors
  • Implement a singleton for the client
  • Specify a region for global distribution
  • Configure client-side threading and parallelism options
  • Enable SDK logging

Implement data access by using the Azure Cosmos DB SQL language

  • Implement queries that use arrays, nested objects, aggregation, and ordering
  • Implement a correlated subquery
  • Implement queries that use array and type-checking functions
  • Implement queries that use mathematical, string, and date functions
  • Implement queries based on variable data

Implement data access by using SQL API SDKs

  • Choose when to use a point operation versus a query operation
  • Implement a point operation that creates, updates, and deletes documents
  • Implement an update by using a patch operation
  • Manage multi-document transactions using SDK Transactional Batch
  • Perform a multi-document load using SDK Bulk
  • Implement optimistic concurrency control using ETags
  • Implement session consistency by using session tokens
  • Implement a query operation that includes pagination
  • Implement a query operation by using a continuation token
  • Handle transient errors and 429s
  • Specify TTL for a document
  • Retrieve and use query metrics

Implement server-side programming in Azure Cosmos DB Core API by using JavaScript

  • Write, deploy, and call a stored procedure
  • Design stored procedures to work with multiple items transactionally
  • Implement triggers
  • Implement a user-defined function

Design and Implement Data Distribution (5–10%)

Design and implement a replication strategy for Azure Cosmos DB

  • Choose when to distribute data
  • Define automatic failover policies for regional failure for Azure Cosmos DB Core API
  • Perform manual failovers to move single master write regions
  • Choose a consistency model
  • Identify use cases for different consistency models
  • Evaluate the impact of consistency model choices on availability and associated RU cost
  • Evaluate the impact of consistency model choices on performance and latency
  • Specify application connections to replicated data

Design and implement multi-region write

  • Choose when to use multi-region write
  • Implement multi-region write
  • Implement a custom conflict resolution policy for Azure Cosmos DB Core API

Integrate an Azure Cosmos DB Solution (5–10%)

Enable Azure Cosmos DB analytical workloads

  • Enable Azure Synapse Link
  • Choose between Azure Synapse Link and Spark Connector
  • Enable the analytical store on a container
  • Enable a connection to an analytical store and query from Azure Synapse Spark or Azure Synapse SQL
  • Perform a query against the transactional store from Spark
  • Write data back to the transactional store from Spark

Implement solutions across services

  • Integrate events with other applications by using Azure Functions and Azure Event Hubs
  • Denormalize data by using Change Feed and Azure Functions
  • Enforce referential integrity by using Change Feed and Azure Functions
  • Aggregate data by using Change Feed and Azure Functions, including reporting
  • Archive data by using Change Feed and Azure Functions
  • Implement Azure Cognitive Search for an Azure Cosmos DB solution

Optimize an Azure Cosmos DB Solution (15–20%)

Optimize query performance in Azure Cosmos DB Core API

  • Adjust indexes on the database
  • Calculate the cost of the query
  • Retrieve request unit cost of a point operation or query
  • Implement Azure Cosmos DB integrated cache

Design and implement change feeds for an Azure Cosmos DB Core API

  • Develop an Azure Functions trigger to process a change feed
  • Consume a change feed from within an application by using the SDK
  • Manage the number of change feed instances by using the change feed estimator
  • Implement denormalization by using a change feed
  • Implement referential enforcement by using a change feed
  • Implement aggregation persistence by using a change feed
  • Implement data archiving by using a change feed

Define and implement an indexing strategy for an Azure Cosmos DB Core API

  • Choose when to use a read-heavy versus write-heavy index strategy
  • Choose an appropriate index type
  • Configure a custom indexing policy by using the Azure portal
  • Implement a composite index
  • Optimize index performance

Maintain an Azure Cosmos DB Solution (25–30%)

Monitor and troubleshoot an Azure Cosmos DB solution

  • Evaluate response status code and failure metrics
  • Monitor metrics for normalized throughput usage by using Azure Monitor
  • Monitor server-side latency metrics by using Azure Monitor
  • Monitor data replication in relation to latency and availability
  • Configure Azure Monitor alerts for Azure Cosmos DB
  • Implement and query Azure Cosmos DB logs
  • Monitor throughput across partitions
  • Monitor distribution of data across partitions
  • Monitor security by using logging and auditing

Implement backup and restore for an Azure Cosmos DB solution

  • Choose between periodic and continuous backup
  • Configure periodic backup
  • Configure continuous backup and recovery
  • Locate a recovery point for a point-in-time recovery
  • Recover a database or container from a recovery point

Implement security for an Azure Cosmos DB solution

  • Choose between service-managed and customer-managed encryption keys
  • Configure network-level access control for Azure Cosmos DB
  • Configure data encryption for Azure Cosmos DB
  • Manage control plane access to Azure Cosmos DB by using Azure role-based access control (RBAC)
  • Manage data plane access to Azure Cosmos DB by using keys
  • Manage data plane access to Azure Cosmos DB by using Azure Active Directory
  • Configure Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) settings
  • Manage account keys by using Azure Key Vault
  • Implement customer-managed keys for encryption
  • Implement Always Encrypted

Implement data movement for an Azure Cosmos DB solution

  • Choose a data movement strategy
  • Move data by using client SDK bulk operations
  • Move data by using Azure Data Factory and Azure Synapse pipelines
  • Move data by using a Kafka connector
  • Move data by using Azure Stream Analytics
  • Move data by using the Azure Cosmos DB Spark Connector

Implement a DevOps process for an Azure Cosmos DB solution

  • Choose when to use declarative versus imperative operations
  • Provision and manage Azure Cosmos DB resources by using Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates)
  • Migrate between standard and autoscale throughput by using PowerShell or Azure CLI
  • Initiate a regional failover by using PowerShell or Azure CLI
  • Maintain index policies in production by using ARM templates

Additional Tips and Resources

I hope this DP-420 Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Certification Exam Study Guide helps you pass the exam. I also recommend that you open a free Azure account if you don’t have one yet. You can create your free Azure account here. Also, check out my blog posts about Microsoft Azure Certification:

I hope you enjoyed my DP-420 Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Study Guide. Did I miss any link, or do you have any recommended DP-420 Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Certification Exam Study resources? Let me know in the comments.


Oct072021October 7, 2021December 8, 20216Commentsby Thomas Maurer
Becoming Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam AZ-305

AZ-305 Exam Study Guide Azure Solutions Architect Certification

Posted in Certification, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure

To get the Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, there is now a new exam that you need to pass, the AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification exam. In this blog post, I am going to share my AZ-305: Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification Exam Study Guide with you. To learn and prepare for the exam, I usually use a couple of online resources, mainly Microsoft Docs and Microsoft Learn, which I am going to share with you. You can find more information about how I prepare for a Microsoft Certification exam on my blog post: How to prepare and pass Microsoft Certification Exam.

Becoming Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam AZ-305
Becoming Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam AZ-305

Also, check out other Microsoft Azure Certification Exam Study Guides:

Here is my AZ-305 Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification Exam Study Guide

It is essential to get familiar with the exam objectives and skills measured first. That is why I recommend reading the description of the exam and the skills measured.

Exam AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

Exam AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Candidates for this exam should have advanced experience and knowledge of IT operations, including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance. A professional in this role should manage how decisions in each area affect an overall solution. In addition, they should have experience in Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes.

Microsoft Docs

The high-level view of the skills measured in the exam:

  • Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions (25-30%)
  • Design data storage solutions (25-30%)
  • Design business continuity solutions (10-15%)
  • Design infrastructure solutions (25-30%)

You can find more information on the exam website.

Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect certification

By passing the AZ-305 and the additional required exam, you will gain the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Candidates for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification should have subject matter expertise in designing and implementing solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including aspects like compute, network, storage, and security. Candidates should have intermediate-level skills for administering Azure. Candidates should understand Azure development and DevOps processes.

Responsibilities for this role include advising stakeholders and translating business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable cloud solutions.

An Azure Solution Architect partners with cloud administrators, cloud DBAs, and clients to implement solutions.

A candidate for this certification should have advanced experience and knowledge of IT operations, including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platform, budgeting, and governance–this role should manage how decisions in each area affect an overall solution. In addition, this role should have expert-level skills in Azure administration and have experience with Azure development and DevOps processes.

Microsoft

You can learn more on the certification website.

Free Online Microsoft Learn AZ-305 Exam Study Guide resources

Microsoft Learn provides you with free online training and learning paths for different Microsoft technologies. They not just offer reading material, but also control questions and free online labs. Here are some relevant Microsoft Learn modules and learning paths for the AZ-305 Microsoft Azure Architect Design Certification Exam. Microsoft Learn is an important part of my AZ-305 exam study guide.

Microsoft Docs AZ-305 study guide resources

One thing I always used to prepare for my Microsoft exams is Microsoft Docs. Here are the relevant Microsoft Docs which I used to prepare and study for the AZ-305 exam.

Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions (25-30%)

Design a Solution for Logging and Monitoring

Design Authentication and Authorization Solutions

Design Governance

Design Identities and Access for Applications

Design Data Storage Solutions (25-30%)

Design a Data Storage Solution for Relational Data

Design Data Integration

Recommend a solution for data analysis Recommend a Data Storage Solution

Design a Data Storage Solution for Non-relational Data

Design Business Continuity Solutions (10-15%)

Design a Solution for Backup and Disaster Recovery

Design for High Availability

Design Infrastructure Solutions (25-30%)

Design a Compute Solution

Design an Application Architecture

Design Migrations

Design Network Solutions

Tips and Resources

I hope this AZ-305 Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification Exam Study Guide helps you pass the exam and get the Azure Solutions Architect certification. I also recommend that you open a free Azure account if you don’t have one yet. You can create your free Azure account here. Also, check out my blog posts about Microsoft Azure Certification:

I hope you enjoyed my AZ-305 Study Guide and it helps you with exam prep. Did I miss any link, or do you have any recommended AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification Exam Study resources? Let me know in the comments.


Sep162021September 16, 2021September 16, 20211Commentby Thomas Maurer
Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification

Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification

Posted in Certification, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, Windows Server

At today’s Windows Server Summit 2021, Microsoft just announced two new Windows Server exams, and by passing these exams you will earn the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification. The two exams are AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure and AZ-801 Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services. This will be a great certification for Windows Server administrators working in a hybrid environment, on-premises, and in Microsoft Azure. Especially when focusing on Windows Server 2022.

The AZ-800 and AZ-801 exams will go into beta towards the end of 2021 and will likely be generally available early in 2022. 

Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate

Candidates for the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification should have subject matter expertise in configuring and managing Windows Server on-premises, hybrid, and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform workloads.

Responsibilities for this role include integrating Windows Server environments with Azure services and managing Windows Server in on-premises networks. This role manages and maintains Windows Server IaaS workloads in Azure, in addition to migrating and deploying workloads to Azure.

This role typically collaborates with Azure administrators, enterprise architects, Microsoft 365 administrators, and network engineers.

Candidates for this certification administer core and advanced Windows Server workloads and services using on-premises, hybrid, and cloud technologies. These professionals should have expertise in implementing and managing on-premises and hybrid solutions, such as identity, management, compute, networking, and storage. They are also experts at performing tasks related to security, migration, monitoring, high availability, troubleshooting, and disaster recovery. These professionals use administrative tools and technologies, including Windows Admin Center, PowerShell, Azure Arc, and IaaS virtual machine administration. They also work with Azure Automation Update Management, Microsoft Defender for Identity, Azure Security Center, Azure Migrate, and Azure Monitor.

A candidate for this certification should have extensive experience working with Windows Server operating systems.

Microsoft Docs

You can find more information about the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification here.

Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification
Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification

Exam AZ-800: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (beta)

Candidates for this exam administer core Windows Server workloads using on-premises, hybrid, and cloud technologies. These professionals should have expertise in implementing and managing on-premises and hybrid solutions, such as identity, management, compute, networking, and storage. They use administrative tools and technologies, such as Windows Admin Center, PowerShell, Azure Arc, and IaaS virtual machine administration.

A candidate for this exam should have extensive experience working with Windows Server operating systems.

You can read more here on Microsoft Docs.

Exam AZ-801: Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services (beta)

Candidates for this exam configure advanced Windows Server services using on-premises, hybrid, and cloud technologies. These professionals should have expertise in implementing and managing on-premises and hybrid solutions, including performing tasks related to security, migration, monitoring, high availability, troubleshooting, and disaster recovery. They use administrative tools and technologies, such as Windows Admin Center, PowerShell, Azure Arc, Azure Automation Update Management, Microsoft Defender for Identity, Azure Security Center, Azure Migrate, and Azure Monitor.

A candidate for this exam should have extensive experience working with Windows Server operating systems.

You can read more here on Microsoft Docs.

I will soon release my Exam Study Guides, until then check the videos by Orin Thomas and Jeff Woolsey providing a great overview of the exams.

And also make sure to read Orin Thomas blog post on ITOpsTalk.com which provides you more background about the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification


Jun242021June 24, 2021October 13, 20214Commentsby Thomas Maurer
AZ-700 Microsft Azure Networking Solutions Certification Exam Study Guide Azure Network Engineer

AZ-700 Study Guide: Azure Network Engineer

Posted in Certification, Microsoft Azure

Microsoft announced the new beta exam Exam AZ-700 Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions. That is why I want to share my new updated AZ-700 Microsft Azure Networking Solutions Certification Exam Study Guide with you.  If you are passing the AZ-700 Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions exam, you will earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate certification, which shows that you are an are Azure administrator with subject matter expertise in planning, delivering, and managing virtual desktop experiences and remote apps, for any device, on Azure.

To learn and prepare for the exam, I usually use a couple of online resources, mainly Microsoft Docs and Microsoft Learn, which I am going to share with you. You can find more information about how I prepare for a Microsoft Certification exam on my blog post: How to prepare and pass Microsoft Certification Exam.

Also, check out other Microsoft Azure Certification Exam Study Guides:

Here is my AZ-700 Azure Networking Solutions Certification Exam Study Guide

It is essential to get familiar with the exam objectives and skills measured first. That is why I recommend reading the description of the exam and the skills measured.

Exam AZ-700 Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions
Candidates for this exam should have subject matter expertise in planning, implementing, and maintaining Azure networking solutions, including hybrid networking, connectivity, routing, security, and private access to Azure services.
Responsibilities for the Azure Network Engineer include recommending, planning, and implementing Azure networking solutions. Professionals in this role manage the solution for performance, resiliency, scale, and security. They deploy networking solutions by using the Azure Portal and other methods, including PowerShell, Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI), and Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates).
The Azure Network Engineer works with solution architects, cloud administrators, security engineers, application developers, and DevOps engineers to deliver Azure solutions.
Candidates for this exam should have expert Azure administration skills, in addition to extensive experience and knowledge of networking, hybrid connections, and network security.

Microsoft Docs – AZ-700 Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions

The high-level view of the skills measured in the exam:

  • Design, Implement, and Manage Hybrid Networking (10–15%)
  • Design and Implement Core Networking Infrastructure (20–25%)
  • Design and Implement Routing (25–30%)
  • Secure and Monitor Networks (15–20%)
  • Design and Implement Private Access to Azure Services (10–15%)

You can find more information on the exam website.

With this exam you will earn the following certification:

Azure Network Engineer Associate
Candidates for the Azure Network Engineer Associate certification should have subject matter expertise in planning, implementing, and maintaining Azure networking solutions, including hybrid networking, connectivity, routing, security, and private access to Azure services.
Responsibilities for this role include recommending, planning, and implementing Azure networking solutions. Professionals in this role manage the solution for performance, resiliency, scale, and security. They deploy networking solutions by using the Azure Portal and other methods, including PowerShell, Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI), and Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates).
The Azure Network Engineer works with solution architects, cloud administrators, security engineers, application developers, and DevOps engineers to deliver Azure solutions.
Candidates for this certification should have expert Azure administration skills, in addition to extensive experience and knowledge of networking, hybrid connections, and network security.

Microsoft Docs – Azure Network Engineer Associate

Free Online Microsoft Learn AZ-700 Exam Study Guide resources

Microsoft Learn provides you with free online training and learning paths for different Microsoft technologies. They not just offer reading material, but also control questions and free online labs. Here are some relevant Microsoft Learn modules and learning paths for the AZ-700 Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions Certification Exam. Microsoft Learn is an important part of my AZ-700 Azure Networking solutions exam study guide.

The team also just made it easier to prepare with the new AZ-700 related learning paths on Microsoft Learn. I highly recommend that you take these for your AZ-700 exam preparation.

Microsoft Docs AZ-700 Azure Networking Solutions study guide resources

One thing I always used to prepare for my Microsoft exams is Microsoft Docs. Here are the relevant Microsoft Docs which I used to prepare and study for the AZ-700 exam.

Read More

Apr302021April 30, 2021June 2, 20210Commentby Thomas Maurer
SC-900 security compliance and identity fundamentals

Passed SC-900 Microsoft Security Compliance and Identity Fundamentals

Posted in Certification, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure

Yesterday it was time for me to take another Microsoft certification exam. This time it was one of the new Microsoft Security certification exams. I started with the basics and passed SC-900 Microsoft Security Compliance and Identity Fundamentals exam.

The high-level view of the skills measured in the exam:

  • Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity (5-10%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft identity and access management solutions (25-30%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions (30-35%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions (25-30%)

You can find more information on the exam website.

You can find all the resources I used to prepare and pass the exam on my SC-900 Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Exam Study Guide.

Exam SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
This certification is targeted to those looking to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across cloud-based and related Microsoft services.

This is a broad audience that may include business stakeholders, new or existing IT professionals, or students who have an interest in Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions.

Candidates should be familiar with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 and want to understand how Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions can span across these solution areas to provide a holistic and end-to-end solution.

Microsoft Learn

I am happy that I passed the SC-900 exam yesterday, and I will go on to do other security exams like the SC-200 and more in the next upcoming weeks.

If you want to learn more about Microsoft Certification, check out my following blogs:

Also, check out other Microsoft Azure Certification Exam Study Guides:


Apr062021April 6, 2021June 2, 20213Commentsby Thomas Maurer
Passed AZ-600 Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate Certification Exam

Passed AZ-600 Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate Certification Exam

Posted in Certification, Microsoft Azure

I took the AZ-600 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub exam back in January 2021 when it was in beta. Today, I just got the mail in my inbox informing me that I passed the AZ-600 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub exam to receive the Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate certification. 

My Azure Stack journey began very early in 2015 and back in 2018, I passed the legacy 70-537 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Azure Stack Exam. Now the AZ-600 is the refreshed version on becoming an Azure Stack Hub operator.

What is the Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate certification?

Candidates for the Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate certification are Azure administrators or Azure Stack Hub operators who provide cloud services to end users or customers from within their own datacenter using Azure Stack Hub.
Their responsibilities are to plan, deploy, package, update, and maintain the Azure Stack Hub infrastructure. They also offer hybrid cloud resources and requested services and manage infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS).
They serve as part of a larger team dedicated to cloud-based management and security or hybrid environments as part of an end-to-end infrastructure.
Candidates for this certification should have significant experience managing and operating Azure Stack Hub environments. They should have a strong understanding of Azure, in addition to some knowledge of virtualization, networking, and identity management. They need to understand how Azure Stack Hub enables DevOps processes and the hybrid development model.

Microsoft Learn

You can find more information on the certification here. To gain this certification you will need to pass the AZ-600 exam. You can find more about the exam here.

Azure Stack Certification
Azure Stack Hub Certification

he high-level view of the skills measured in the certification and exams are:

  • Provide services (30-35%)
  • Implement data center integration (15-20%)
  • Manage identity and access (10-15%)
  • Manage infrastructure (30-35%)

How to prepare and pass the AZ-600 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub

So the question now is how can you prepare and pass the AZ-600 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub certification exam. For that I wrote a simple Exam study guide for this exam:

AZ-600 Exam Study Guide Microsoft Certified Azure Stack Hub Operator
AZ-600 Exam Study Guide Microsoft Certified Azure Stack Hub Operator

I also have a blog post on generally prepare for Microsoft certification exams as well as some tips on how to take Microsoft exams.

Conclusion

Are you also interested in becoming Microsoft Azure Certified? Check out my blog posts about why you should become Microsoft Azure Certified, how to pick the right Azure exam certification path, and how to prepare and pass a Microsoft Azure certification exam. I hope this helps you to prepare, study, and pass the AZ-600 to become a Microsoft Certified Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate.

I am super happy I passed the AZ-600 exam, it is a great way of validating your skills. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments.


Apr062021April 6, 2021October 13, 20210Commentby Thomas Maurer
SC-900 Exam Study Guide Microsoft Security Compliance and Identity Fundamentals

SC-900 Study Guide Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

Posted in Certification, Microsoft Azure

Microsoft just released a couple of new Microsoft certifications focused on security. Of course, these exams are on my list to take, so that is why I want to share my SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification Exam Study Guide for 2021 with you. To learn and prepare for the exam, I usually use a couple of online resources, mainly Microsoft Docs and Microsoft Learn, which I am going to share with you. You can find more information about how I prepare for a Microsoft Certification exam on my blog post: How to prepare and pass Microsoft Certification Exam.

Also, check out other Microsoft Azure Certification Exam Study Guides:

If you want to learn more about how to get started with Azure, I recommend my blog post: How to get started learning Microsoft Azure and Cloud Computing

Here is my SC-900Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification Exam Study Guide

It is essential to get familiar with the exam objectives and skills measured first. That is why I recommend reading the description of the exam and the skills measured.

Exam SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
This certification is targeted to those looking to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across cloud-based and related Microsoft services.

This is a broad audience that may include business stakeholders, new or existing IT professionals, or students who have an interest in Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions.

Candidates should be familiar with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 and want to understand how Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions can span across these solution areas to provide a holistic and end-to-end solution.

Microsoft Learn

The high-level view of the skills measured in the exam:

  • Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity (5-10%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft identity and access management solutions (25-30%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions (30-35%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions (25-30%)

You can find more information on the exam website.

Free Online Microsoft Learn SC-900 Exam Study Guide resources

Free Online Microsoft Learn AZ-900 Exam Study Guide resources

I personally believe if you are going through the Azure Fundamentals learning path on Microsoft Learn, you should be able to pass the exam. Microsoft Learn provides you with free online training and learning paths for different Microsoft technologies. They not just offer reading material, but also control questions and free online labs. Here are some relevant Microsoft Learn modules and learning paths for the SC-900 Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification Exam. Microsoft Learn is an important part of my SC-900 exam study guide.

Free Azure Account

I also highly recommend that you create a free Azure account to try out the Azure services and get familiar with the Azure platform.

Create a free Azure Account 

If you don’t have an Azure account yet, you can sign up today for your free Azure account and receive 12 months of free popular services, $200 free credit, and 25+ always free services.

Microsoft Docs SC-900 study guide resources

One thing I always used to prepare for my Microsoft exams is Microsoft Docs. Here are the relevant Microsoft Docs which I used to prepare and study for the SC-900 exam.

Describe the Concepts of Security, Compliance, and Identity (5-10%)

Describe security methodologies

Describe security concepts

Describe Microsoft Security and compliance principles

Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Identity and Access Management Solutions (25-30%)

Define identity principles/concepts

Describe the basic identity services and identity types of Azure AD

Describe the authentication capabilities of Azure AD

Describe access management capabilities of Azure AD

Describe the identity protection & governance capabilities of Azure AD

Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Security Solutions (30-35%)

Describe basic security capabilities in Azure

Describe security management capabilities of Azure

Describe security capabilities of Azure Sentinel

Describe threat protection with Microsoft 365 Defender (formerly Microsoft Threat Protection)

Describe security management capabilities of Microsoft 365

Describe endpoint security with Microsoft Intune

Describe the Capabilities of Microsoft Compliance Solutions (25-30%)

Describe the compliance management capabilities in Microsoft

Describe information protection and governance capabilities of Microsoft 365

Describe insider risk capabilities in Microsoft 365

Describe the eDiscovery capabilities of Microsoft 365

Describe the audit capabilities in Microsoft 365

Describe resource governance capabilities in Azure

SC-900 Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Study Guide Tips and Resources

I hope this SC-900 Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification Exam Study Guide helps you pass the exam and get other Microsoft Security certifications. I also recommend that you open a free Azure account if you don’t have one yet. You can create your free Azure account here. Also, check out my blog posts about Microsoft Azure Certification:

I hope you enjoyed my SC-900 Study Guide and it helps you with exam prep. Did I miss any link, or do you have any recommended SC-900 Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification Exam Study resources? Let me know in the comments.


Mar232021March 23, 2021March 23, 20212Commentsby Thomas Maurer
Azure Enablement show Microsoft Azure Certifications

Azure Enablement Show: How and why to earn an Azure Certification

Posted in Certification, Microsoft Azure

I am happy to let you know that I was part of the Azure Enablement show with April Edwards, to talk about Azure Certifications!. In this video, April and I discuss why Microsoft Azure certifications are worth your time and energy; and how they can lead to more confidence and clarity in your job. Thomas and April share their own experiences and recommendations on how to prepare for exams and how to approach getting your own certifications.

You can watch the full Azure Enablement Show: How and why to earn an Azure Certification video here on Microsoft Channel 9.

You can learn more here:

Also make sure you check out my blogs on Microsoft Certification:

And my Microsoft Azure certification exam study guides!

I hope this Azure Enablement show video on Microsoft Azure certifications and the included information is valuable for your Microsoft Azure certification journey! If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below!


Mar022021March 2, 2021March 3, 20211Commentby Thomas Maurer
New Microsoft Security Certification Exams

New Microsoft Security Certification Exams in Beta

Posted in Certification

Microsoft just announced 4 new Microsoft Security Certification beta exams. These new exams have the exam codes SC-900, SC-200, SC-300, and SC-400. All of the exams are related to different security topics, and all of them come with an 80% discount code for the first 300 people. The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You must register for the exam on or before March 15, 2021. Take the exam as soon as possible, so we can leverage your comments, feedback, and exam data in our evaluation of the quality of the questions. You can find the discount codes on Microsoft Tech Community.

If you want to learn more about Microsoft Certification, check out my following blogs:


Exam SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (beta)

This exam is targeted to those looking to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across cloud-based and related Microsoft services.

This is a broad audience that may include business stakeholders, new or existing IT professionals, or students who have an interest in Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions.

Candidates should be familiar with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 and understand how Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions can span across these solution areas to provide a holistic and end-to-end solution.

Skills measured

  • Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity (5-10%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft identity and access management solutions (25-30%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions (30-35%)
  • Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions (25-30%)

You can find more information, the discount code and the link to register here on the exam page.

Exam SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst (beta)

The Microsoft Security Operations Analyst collaborates with organizational stakeholders to secure information technology systems for the organization. Their goal is to reduce organizational risk by rapidly remediating active attacks in the environment, advising on improvements to threat protection practices, and referring violations of organizational policies to appropriate stakeholders.

Responsibilities include threat management, monitoring, and response by using a variety of security solutions across their environment. The role primarily investigates, responds to, and hunts for threats using Microsoft Azure Sentinel, Azure Defender, Microsoft 365 Defender, and third-party security products. Since the Security Operations Analyst consumes the operational output of these tools, they are also a critical stakeholder in the configuration and deployment of these technologies.

Skills measured

  • Mitigate threats using Microsoft 365 Defender (25-30%)
  • Mitigate threats using Azure Defender (25-30%)
  • Mitigate threats using Azure Sentinel (40-45%)

You can find more information, the discount code and the link to register here on the exam page.

Exam SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator (beta)

The Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator designs, implements, and operates an organization’s identity and access management systems by using Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). They manage tasks such as providing secure authentication and authorization access to enterprise applications. The administrator provides seamless experiences and self-service management capabilities for all users. Adaptive access and governance are core elements to the role. This role is also responsible for troubleshooting, monitoring, and reporting for the identity and access environment.

The Identity and Access Administrator may be a single individual or a member of a larger team. This role collaborates with many other roles in the organization to drive strategic identity projects to modernize identity solutions, to implement hybrid identity solutions, and to implement identity governance.

Skills measured

  • Implement an identity management solution (25-30%)
  • Implement an authentication and access management solution (25-30%)
  • Implement access management for apps (10-15%)
  • Plan and implement an identity governance strategy (25-30%)

You can find more information, the discount code and the link to register here on the exam page.

Exam SC-400: Microsoft Information Protection Administrator (beta)

he Information Protection Administrator plans and implements controls that meet organizational compliance needs. This person is responsible for translating requirements and compliance controls into technical implementation. They assist organizational control owners to become and stay compliant.

They work with information technology (IT) personnel, business application owners, human resources, and legal stakeholders to implement technology that supports policies and controls necessary to sufficiently address regulatory requirements for their organization. They also work with the compliance and security leadership such as a Chief Compliance Officer and Security Officer to evaluate the full breadth of associated enterprise risk and partner to develop those policies.

This person defines applicable requirements and tests IT processes and operations against those policies and controls. They are responsible for creating policies and rules for content classification, data loss prevention, governance, and protection.

Skills measured

  • Implement information protection (35-40%)
  • Implement data loss prevention (30-35%)
  • Implement information governance (25-30%)

You can find more information, the discount code and the link to register here on the exam page.

Conclusion

I hope this provides you with an overview of the new Microsoft Security certification exams. Of course, I will be sharing my Study Guides for the exams in the next coming days. I highly recommend that you also check out my how to learn Microsoft Azure in 2021 blog and my exam study guides for other Microsoft exams.



  • About Thomas Maurer

    Thomas Maurer

    My name is Thomas Maurer. I am a Senior Program Manager & Chief Evangelist for Azure Hybrid at Microsoft. I am part of the Azure engineering team (Cloud + AI) and engage with the community and customers around the world. Opinions are my own.

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