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Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-900, AZ-104)

The Microsoft Azure Administrator course covering AZ-900 and AZ-104 is designed to build both foundational and advanced knowledge of cloud services and their administration within the Microsoft Azure platform.

The AZ-900 section introduces the basics of cloud computing concepts, core Azure services, pricing, support, and governance features, making it suitable for those new to cloud technology. It emphasizes understanding general cloud principles, Azure architectural components, networking, security, and compliance.

The AZ-104 section goes deeper into the technical aspects of Azure administration, focusing on managing identities and governance, implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing Azure compute resources, configuring and managing virtual networks, and monitoring and backing up Azure resources. Together, the two courses prepare learners to both understand the fundamentals of cloud computing and apply hands-on skills to manage and operate Azure environments effectively. This learning path equips professionals with the necessary knowledge to support organizations in their cloud journey, optimize workloads, and maintain secure, reliable, and scalable cloud solutions.

Entry Requirement / Eligibility

AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

No formal prerequisites – open to beginners.
Designed for individuals with little to no cloud experience.
Basic knowledge of computers, networking, or IT concepts is helpful but not mandatory.
Suitable for students, career changers, business/finance professionals, or anyone seeking foundational cloud knowledge.

AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate

Prior knowledge of Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) or equivalent experience is recommended (not mandatory, but helpful).
At least 6 months of hands-on experience with Azure workloads is suggested.
Familiarity with:
- Core Azure services (Compute, Storage, Networking, Security)
- Identity and access management
- Basic PowerShell, CLI, or Azure Portal navigation
- General understanding of on-premises IT infrastructure (servers, virtualization, networking, databases).

COURSE SYLLABUS

AZ-900 Module 1: Cloud Concepts

• Define cloud computing, public/private/hybrid cloud
• Cost models, usage patterns
• Benefits of the cloud: scalability, elasticity, high availability, disaster recovery
• Serverless vs VM/container vs app services
• Start with examples (Azure Functions, Logic Apps, containers)

AZ-900 Module 2: Azure Architecture & Services

• Core services: Compute (VMs, VM scale sets), Networking (vNet, VPN, DNS), Storage (blobs, files)
• Identity, Access & Security: Microsoft Entra ID / Azure AD, role-based access control, MFA etc.
• Resource management tools: Azure portal, CLI, PowerShell, ARM templates, infrastructure as code (IaC)

AZ-900 Module 3: Management, Governance & Monitoring

• Cost management: pricing calculator, TCO, budgets, cost optimization
• Governance/compliance: Azure Policy, resource locks, tags
• Monitoring tools: Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Service Health, Advisor
• Tools for deploying resources reliably (IaC, ARM templates)

AZ-900 Module 3: Management, Governance & Monitoring

AZ-104

AZ104 Module 1: Manage Azure Identities & Governance

• Manage Microsoft Entra (Azure AD) users, groups, devices, external identities
• Role-based access control (RBAC), role assignments, custom roles
• Azure Subscriptions, Management Groups, cost management
• Azure Policy, Resource Locks, Tagging
• Licensing & access features (e.g. self-service password reset)

AZ104 Module 2: Implement & Manage Storage

• Storage accounts: types, redundancy, encryption
• Blob storage, file shares, Azure Files, tiers, lifecycle management, snapshots, soft delete
• Access control to storage: shared access signatures (SAS), stored access policies, identity‐based access, network access (firewalls, VNET rules)
• Data migration / transfer: AzCopy, Azure Storage Explorer, import/export, replication

AZ104 Module 3: Deploy & Manage Compute Resources

• Virtual Machines: sizes, images, disks, VM extensions, availability zones/sets, scaling
• Virtual Machine Scale Sets, container services (Container Instances, Container Apps, maybe AKS basics)
• App Services: web apps, custom domains, TLS/SSL, deployment slots
• Automating deployment: ARM / Bicep templates
• Moving resources between resource groups or subscriptions

AZ104 Module 4: Configure & Manage Virtual Networking

• Virtual Networks, subnets, IP addressing, public/private IPs
• VNet Peering, user-defined routes, network security groups (NSGs), application security groups (ASGs)
• DNS, load balancing (public / internal), Azure Bastion
• Service endpoints, private endpoints for PaaS
• VPN Gateway, maybe ExpressRoute, hybrid connectivity if relevant
• Troubleshooting networking connectivity

AZ104 Module 5: Monitor & Maintain / Backup & Recovery

• Monitoring: metrics, logs, alerts, action groups; Azure Monitor, VM insights, network watcher
• Backup: Azure Backup vaults, policies; Recovery Services vault; backups/restores
• Site Recovery: failover, DR, planning for resilience
• Maintenance tasks: updates, patching, scaling, monitoring cost and performance

Labs/Exercises

• A combined scenario: design & deploy an Azure infrastructure with identity, storage, compute, networking; secure it; configure backup; monitor it; cost optimize
• Possible hybrid component (on-prem + Azure) if resources allow

EXAMS COVERED

AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Beginner / foundational

Validates basic cloud knowledge + core Azure services, governance, security, pricing. Great first step if you have little/no Azure experience.

AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate Associate / working administrator