Azure Cloud Fundamentals Lecture

Jun 8, 2024

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Azure Cloud Fundamentals Lecture

Instructor: Andrew Brown

Overview

  • Certification: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
  • Purpose: To assist in achieving Microsoft certification through lecture videos, hands-on labs, and practice exams.
  • Support More Courses: Purchase optional paid materials.

Key Topics Covered

  1. Basics of Cloud Computing
  2. Benefits of Using Cloud Services
  3. Core Services in Azure
    • Computing
    • Networking
    • Storage
    • Databases
  4. Identity, Security, and Governance
  5. Pricing and Cost Management
  6. Management Tools

Who Should Consider This Certification?

  • New to Cloud: Learn fundamentals and benefits.
  • Non-Technical Backgrounds: Executive, management, or sales roles needing strategic cloud info.
  • For Basic Solutions: Understand how to build and deploy basic cloud services.
  • Experienced Professionals: Refresh or reset knowledge about recent changes.

Value of Certification

  • Expansive view on cloud architecture and Azure landscape.
  • Provides broad knowledge, not task-specific deep dives.
  • Helps in strategic cloud thinking.
  • Difficulty Level: Relatively easy, foundational knowledge.
  • Importance: Covers unique content not found in other certifications.

Azure Certification Path

  1. Fundamental Certifications (AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, SC-900)
  2. Associate Certifications (Administrator, A104; Developer, A204)
  3. Expert Certifications (Solutions Architect, Expert)
  4. Specialty Certifications

Time Commitment

  • Beginners: ~30 hours
  • Experienced: ~6 hours
  • Recommendation: 1-2 hours/day over 14 days.
  • Study Resources: Lecture videos, hands-on labs, practice exams.
  • Notes: Coding experience beneficial, focus on long-term knowledge retention.

Exam Details

  • Locations: In-person at test center or online from home.
  • Proctoring: Via Pearson VUE.
  • Exam Content: Three domains with varying percentages of questions.

Domains

  1. Describing Cloud Concepts: 25-30%
  2. Describing Azure Architecture and Services: 35-40%
  3. Describing Azure Management and Governance: 30-35%

Grading and Question Types

  • Pass Mark: 700 points out of 1000 (~70%+)
  • Question Types: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer, drag-and-drop, yes/no
  • Duration: 45 minutes (60-65 minutes seat time)
  • Certification Validity: Fundamentals: Does not expire; Associate/Expert: Renewable through simpler tests.

Study and Preparation Tips

  • Recommended Study Time: 1-2 hours/day for 14 days.
  • Exam Practice: Regular practice exams are critical.
  • Environment: Choose test centers over online if possible.
  • Pre-requisites: Some prior IT experience helpful but not required.

Azure Portal, Tools, and Services

  • Azure Global Infrastructure
  • Azure Regions and Geographies
  • Paired Regions: For disaster recovery and high availability.
  • Region Types and Service Availability
  • Specialized Regions
  • Availability Zones and Fault/Update Domains

Key Azure Services & Concepts

  • Virtual Machines: Highly configurable, essential compute service.
  • App Service Platforms (PaaS): Azure App Services for web, mobile, API apps.
  • Container Instances (ACI): Docker as a service, lightweight deployment.
  • Networking: Virtual Networks (VNets), Network Security Groups (NSGs), Load Balancers, Virtual Network Gateway.
  • Storage Services: Blob Storage, Disk Storage, File Storage, Table Storage.
  • Databases: Cosmos DB, SQL Database, Table Storage.
  • Azure Security and Identity Management: Active Directory, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Multifactor Authentication (MFA).
  • Governance & Compliance: Azure Policy, Blueprints, Resource Locks, Tags.
  • Monitoring & Management: Azure Monitor, Azure Service Health, Advisory.
  • Integration Services: Service Bus, Event Grid, Logic Apps, Data Factory.
  • Machine Learning and AI: Azure Machine Learning, Cognitive Services.
  • Serverless Computing: Azure Functions, App Services, Event Grid.
  • DevOps: Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines.

Important Concepts & Tools

  • Azure CLI: Command-line interface for Azure management.
  • Azure PowerShell: Scripting tool for managing Azure resources.
  • Visual Studio Code: Integrated development environment (IDE) for coding and management.
  • Resource Manager (ARM): Infrastructure as Code management and deployment.
  • Terraform: Third-party IAC tool compatible with Azure.

Practical Sessions and Follow Alongs

  • Creating Resource Groups, Virtual Networks, and Storage Accounts
  • Hands-on Labs: Using Azure Portal, Azure CLI, and Visual Studio Code for management and deployment.

Related Concepts

  • Disaster Recovery and High Availability: Ensuring service continuity with region pairs and availability zones.
  • Operational Management: Utilizing Azure Monitor and Log Analytics.
  • Cost Management: Budgeting and tracking Azure spend.

Closing Notes

  • Azure Fundamentals Certification (AZ-900): A stepping stone into more specialized certifications.
  • General Tip: Stay dedicated, practice consistently, and utilize all study resources provided.

Good Luck!