DP-300XM and Azure Database Administrator Associate Certification

Jun 18, 2024

DP-300XM and Azure Database Administrator Associate Certification

Introduction

  • Speaker: Julian Pedro
  • Role: Data and AI Content Developer at Microsoft
  • Background: Database Administrator transitioned to Data Engineer, and now specializes in Azure
  • Co-presenter: Sandra, Senior Business Program Manager at Microsoft
  • Objective: Discuss DP-300XM certification and related technical content

Overview

Team Responsibilities

  • Builds technical learning experiences
  • Covers Azure SQL, Azure Machine Learning, Power BI, etc.
  • LinkedIn Profile: Regularly posts educational material

Session Goals

  1. Review path to DP-300 certification
  2. Explore the Microsoft exams and share resources
  3. Provide guidance to help you succeed

DP-300 Certification Path

  • Exam Name Change: Updated in August to focus only on Azure SQL technologies
  • Learning Recommendations: Azure Fundamentals and Azure Data Fundamentals exams are recommended

Functional Groups in Exam

  • The exam covers various functional groups, each with a percentage indicating its weight:
    • Plan and Implement Data Platform Resources (20-25%)
    • Other functional groups (details covered ahead)
  • Important Links: Exam page and Exam guide
  • Training Types: Self-paced and instructor-led

Detailed Breakdown of Modules

Module 1: Prepare to Maintain SQL Databases on Azure

  • Focus: Basics of Azure SQL, responsibilities of Azure DBAs, and cloud services (IaaS vs. PaaS)
  • Clinical Topics: Azure SQL Database, SQL Managed Instances, and Azure SQL Edge

Module 2: Deep Dive into IaaS

  • Focus: SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
  • New Topic: Azure Arc
  • Key Areas: Deployment, hybrid scenarios, performance, and security options

Module 3: Provisioning and Deployment

  • Focus: Provisioning and deploying Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance
  • New Topics: Hyperscale function, Azure SQL Edge

Module 4: Migration

  • Focus: Moving SQL Server Workloads to Azure
  • New Topics: Planning and prerequisites for migration

Module 5: Configure Database Authentication and Authorization

  • Focus: Azure Active Directory, SQL Server Authentication, role-based security
  • New Topics: Monitoring failures and security practices

Module 6: Protect Data in Transit and At Rest

  • Focus: Encryption options
  • New Topics: Enabling encrypted connections (TLS)

Module 7: Implement Compliance Control for Sensitive Data

  • Focus: Data classification, database auditing, role-level security, and dynamic data masking
  • New Topics: SQL Database Ledger and Azure Purview

Module 8: Performance Monitoring

  • Focus: Monitoring database performance
  • New Topics: Azure SQL Insights

Module 9: Configure SQL Server Resources for Optimal Performance

  • Focus: TempDB best practices, transaction logs, resource management

Module 10: Database Optimization

  • Focus: Database scope configurations, index maintenance, and intelligent query processing

Module 11: Query Performance Optimization

  • Focus: Execution plans, query store, and blocking/logging issues

Module 12: Performance-Based Design

  • Focus: Database normalization, data types, and schema understanding

Module 13: Evaluate Performance Improvements

  • Focus: Index tuning, minor tweaks, and query hints

Module 14: Automation

  • Focus: Resource Manager templates, Azure CLI, and deployment scripts

Module 15: SQL Agent Jobs

  • Focus: Core automation using SQL Agent jobs
  • Emphasis: Using built-in resources for easier management

Module 16: Manage Azure PaaS Tasks

  • Focus: Azure Automation, elastic jobs, logic apps
  • New Topics: Monitoring automated tasks

Module 17: High Availability and Disaster Recovery Planning

  • Focus: RTO, RPO, and various Azure high availability options

Module 18: Implementation of High Availability Solutions

  • Focus: Failover clusters, availability groups, temporal tables, geo-replication
  • Practical Learning: Labs provided for hands-on experience

Module 19: Backup and Restore Databases

  • Focus: Developing a robust backup strategy
  • Recommendation: Regular testing (every 3-6 months)

Practical Labs

  • Hosted Virtual Machines: Provided for practical learning
  • Components: Windows 10, Visual Studio Code, Azure Data Studio, SQL Server Management Studio
  • Repository: Labs available on GitHub for self-managed subscription
  • Feedback: Issue reporting through GitHub

Exam Preparation Tips

  • Modules Review: Thoroughly go through certification modules
  • Hands-On Labs: Implement concepts to solidify understanding
  • SQL Docs: Reference for latest features and documentation
  • Apply Knowledge: Implement learned concepts in real-world scenarios

Microsoft Exam Information

  • Question Format: 40-60 questions, mixture of types (including case studies and hands-on labs)
  • Preparation Time: Allocate 3 hours per exam
  • Passing Score: 700 points
  • Resources: Exam sandbox, Exam Readiness Zone
  • Practice Tests: Available but limited to certain exams currently

Certification Maintenance

  • Renewal: Required annually, free online assessment available for renewal
  • Resources: Certification profile management, self-paced training for renewal

Conclusion

i. Key Resources: Exam guide, curated learning paths, instructor-led and self-paced training, hands-on labs

  • Renewal: Certification needs renewal every year

Thank you for attending!