From Fundamentals to Advanced Skills: Navigating AZ-900 and AZ-204 Certifications

With the major hype around the cloud computing market, Microsoft Azure is definitely a key player in the industry. You can start your journey in the field of Microsoft Azure by passing the AZ-900 exam. It gauges your knowledge of Microsoft Azure fundamentals and other cloud computing principles. This will help equip them for future success in pursuing a higher-level Azure certification.

This certification provides an all-inclusive environment, making it appropriate for even people with non-technical backgrounds. Scroll through this informative guide to learn more about the Azure Fundamentals exam.

Basics of AZ-900 exam

When taking the AZ-900 exam, you will be required to demonstrate your understanding of Microsoft Azure. The AZ-900 exam only tests your fundamental knowledge of the Azure platform. But no candidate without a solid understanding of Azure operations from the grassroot level will be able to pass this exam. 

Once you score the required marks and pass the AZ-900 exam, you will be able to obtain other role-based certifications. All these certifications will help you prove your skills and knowledge about Microsoft Azure and related cloud concepts. This certification will also help candidates trying to start their career in Microsoft Azure. 

Furthermore, achieving the AZ-900 certification can help you move from Associate to Expert level. With thorough preparation for this Azure certification path, one can acquire practical skills that can be applied to real-life cloud situations.

Syllabus and Format of AZ-900 Exam

The syllabus for the Microsoft AZ-900 exam mainly focuses on foundational concepts of cloud-based services concerning Azure. It includes core Azure services like computing, storage, and networking. This also covers security and privacy services, the Azure support model, and pricing.

You will generally come across 40-60 questions, many of which are in multiple-choice answer format. The duration to complete the Microsoft AZ-900 exam is 1 hour. Candidates need to obtain a minimum of 70% to pass this exam.

Domains of the Microsoft Azure 900 Exam

The different domains included within the Microsoft AZ-900 exam are:

Description of Cloud Concepts

• Understanding different cloud models, including hybrid, private, and cloud, is necessary for passing the exam. With a hybrid cloud model, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of private as well as on-premise cloud systems. 
• You must be familiar with different cloud categories like IaaS and PaaS. 
• Passing this exam also requires understanding the agility and scalability of Microsoft Azure. 

Description of Core Azure Services

• This section will guide you through preparing the fundamental building blocks of the Azure certification path, including regions, availability zones, and more. 
• With availability in over 60 regions worldwide, Azure offers a vast selection of services to meet your needs. 
• As new regions and data centers are constantly added, Azure provides reliable and scalable solutions to support your business growth. 
• Each Azure region comprises multiple data centers, known as availability zones, ensuring maximum availability and performance. 
• Furthermore, Azure provides a wide range of computing services, such as App Services, Virtual Machines, Containers, and Kubernetes, to power your applications. 
• Azure also offers various storage services, including Blob, Queue, Table, Disk Storage, File Storage, and Database (SQL/NoSQL) storage, such as Azure SQL Server and MySQL Database.
• Azure offers a range of networking services, such as virtual networks and firewalls, that are integral to the platform. These services are often the focus of exam questions. A
• Additionally, Azure boasts a robust catalog of serverless offerings, such as function apps and event grids. They align with cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics. 
• Azure also provides handy tools like PowerShell, Cloud Shell, Azure CLI, and Azure Advisor to streamline resource management.

Description of Privacy, Security, Compliance, and Trust

• In the Azure Fundamentals exam, a strong security foundation is vital for effectively managing network traffic and ensuring the safety of resources. This includes utilizing essential elements such as Network Security Groups (NSG) and Azure Security Center. With these building blocks, you can efficiently organize and secure network activity. 
• To further strengthen security, access management for all Azure resources can be easily managed through role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). 
• In addition, Azure’s monitoring capabilities and service health features provide a valuable advantage in identifying and resolving potential issues with your applications, providing proactive solutions within seconds. 
• To achieve compliance within your organization, it’s pivotal to possess a solid understanding of Azure services such as Trust Center and data security. 
• By familiarizing yourself with these resources, you can effectively work towards meeting your organization’s compliance goals.

Description of Azure Pricing Service Level Agreements and Lifecycles

• In this section of the Azure Fundamentals exam, we will cover various topics related to Azure cost management, including zone-based billing and the Azure Cost Analysis tool. 
• With this analysis tool, you can easily track and analyze the costs of your organization’s use of different Azure services. 
• Azure also offers pay-as-you-go and reserved instance pricing models, with unique pricing units for each service. 
• It is also crucial to familiarize yourself with the services available in the free Azure account, the various options for purchasing Azure products and services, and the service level agreements (SLA). 
• Finally, understanding the lifecycle of features, preview features, and monitoring features is essential for optimal usage of Azure.

Microsoft Azure Certification Az-204 eligibility

The Microsoft Azure certification Az-204 is ideal for candidates entering the cloud industry. Fresh graduates planning to enter the job market can pursue the Microsoft Azure Az-204 course. 

This Azure certification will also be perfect for candidates with less than two years of experience. Remember that you don’t need a technical background to pursue this Microsoft Azure certification. With the Microsoft Az-204 certification, even individuals with a non-technical background can shift to the world of the cloud. 

The Microsoft Azure certification Az-204 is your baseline for becoming an Azure Developer Associate. 

The key situations to pursue this certification include:

You have coding knowledge but lack Azure experience

If you have spent over a year mastering C# and .NET but lack experience with Azure, obtaining the Microsoft AZ-204 certification would be a sensible choice. This certification will deliver you a deep understanding of the Azure platform. So you will be able to optimize your coding techniques and effectively manage and maintain your creations. 

It is important to note that the focus here is on your current programming knowledge, as the exam will not help you acquire coding skills from the ground up. Instead, the Microsoft Azure certification Az-204 is designed for developers seeking to excel in creating Azure solutions.

You want to shift from Scripting to Programming

Microsoft AZ-204 can lead to success even without prior programming experience. As someone with scripting knowledge, you may need additional programming skills. With dedication and ample time, mastering the fundamental coding skills necessary to pass the Azure exam is achievable. While it may prove challenging, there is no harm in immersing oneself in programming right away.

Topics under Microsoft Azure Az-204

Securing the highly coveted AZ-204 certification from Microsoft is no easy feat. A successful attempt requires thorough preparation and prior training. This comprehensive Microsoft Azure certification training covers many essential concepts, each with varying levels of importance. 

Luckily, the course has been thoughtfully broken down into manageable modules and domains, allowing for a more effective study approach. Careful attention must be paid to each domain to pinpoint areas requiring additional preparation and focus. 

The four distinct domains are:

• Developing Azure Computing Solutions
• Azure Storage-related Development
• Implementing Azure Security
• Azure Solution Optimization, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting

Wrapping up

Mastering the AZ-900 and AZ-204 certifications provides a solid foundation and advanced skills in Microsoft Azure, empowering professionals to navigate cloud technologies confidently. While AZ-900 equips you with essential cloud concepts and Azure services, AZ-204 takes you deeper into the development and management of cloud solutions. Together, these certifications enhance your technical proficiency and open doors to diverse career opportunities in the ever-growing cloud industry. By pursuing both, you build a comprehensive skill set to help you thrive in Azure.