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
- Review path to DP-300 certification
- Explore the Microsoft exams and share resources
- 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!