Microsoft Certifications: Your Path to Success with Exam AZ-104

In April 2020, Microsoft made a significant announcement in the world of IT certifications. The widely recognized Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam, AZ-103, officially retired on August 31, 2020. In its place, the new and improved Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam, AZ-104, emerged as the go-to certification for aspiring professionals. This transition is now complete, and it’s essential to understand the key differences between AZ-103 and AZ-104. Let’s embark on a journey to explore what’s new in AZ-104 and what aspects of AZ-103 are retained in this revamped certification.

Understanding the Audience

AZ-103 Candidates

Candidates for the AZ-103 exam were Azure Administrators responsible for managing a broad spectrum of cloud services. Their roles encompassed handling storage, security, networking, and computing capabilities. They possessed a deep understanding of every service throughout the IT lifecycle. Additionally, they were experts in taking requests for infrastructure services, applications, and environments. These professionals made recommendations to optimize performance, scalability, and resource allocation. Proficiency in PowerShell, the Command Line Interface, Azure Portal, ARM templates, and various other domains like virtualization, cloud infrastructure, storage structures, and networking were part of their skill set.

AZ-104 Candidates

AZ-104, on the other hand, caters to Azure Administrators primarily focused on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Their role involved implementing, managing, and monitoring identity, governance, storage, and computing virtual machines, and virtual networks in a cloud environment. These administrators are skilled in provisioning, sizing, monitoring, and adjusting resources as needed. A minimum of six months of hands-on experience in administering Azure is expected from AZ-104 candidates. They should also have a strong understanding of core Azure services, workloads, security, governance, and the ability to work with PowerShell, the Command Line Interface, Azure Portal, and ARM templates.

Exam Objectives

Managing Azure Subscriptions and Resources

• AZ-103 (15-20%): The previous exam included tasks like assigning administrator permissions, configuring cost center quotas, tagging, and policies at the Azure subscription level.
• AZ-104 (15-20%): AZ-104 carries these objectives forward, encompassing configuring diagnostic settings, analyzing resource utilization, managing resource groups, and enforcing role-based access control.

Implementing and Managing Storage

• AZ-103 (15-20%): AZ-103 candidates were required to configure storage accounts, import and export data to Azure, configure Azure files, and implement Azure backup.
• AZ-104 (10-15%): AZ-104 shifts the focus to managing storage accounts, configuring Azure Disk Encryption, and creating and configuring containers and Web Apps.

Deploying and Managing Virtual Machines (VMs)

• AZ-103 (15-20%): AZ-103 featured objectives like creating and configuring VMs, automating VM deployment, managing VM backups, and more.
• AZ-104 (25-30%): AZ-104 emphasizes configuring VMs for high availability and scalability, automating deployment and configuration, creating and configuring containers, and creating and configuring Web Apps.

Configuring and Managing Virtual Networks

• AZ-103 (30-35%): Tasks like creating connectivity between virtual networks, implementing and managing virtual networking, configuring name resolution, and creating Network Security Groups were integral to AZ-103.
• AZ-104 (30-35%): AZ-104 covers similar content, with an additional focus on securing access to virtual networks and configuring load balancing.

Managing Identities

• AZ-103 (15-20%): Managing Azure Active Directory and implementing multi-factor authentication were part of AZ-103.
• AZ-104 (15-20%): AZ-104 retains these objectives, ensuring that candidates can manage Azure AD objects and implement hybrid identities effectively.

Monitoring and Backing Up Azure Resources

• AZ-103 (10-15%): Monitoring resources using Azure Monitor and implementing backup and recovery were integral parts of AZ-103.
• AZ-104 (10-15%): AZ-104 extends these objectives to include concepts like configuring Log Analytics and setting up alerts and actions.

Preparing for Exam AZ-104

For those looking to excel in Exam AZ-104, reliable study materials are crucial. Platforms like Dumpsmate offer PDF dumps and Testing Engines with well-researched AZ-104 Practice Questions and Answers. With the right resources and dedicated preparation, passing the AZ-104 exam on your first attempt is an achievable goal.

Conclusion

The Exam AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator is your gateway to becoming a Microsoft Azure Certifications-Azure Administrator Associate. With a course that encompasses the latest technologies and builds upon an already esteemed certification, this path offers immense value to your career. Choosing the right training material and dedicating yourself to the learning process can open the doors to a highly rewarding profession.