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Azure Administrator (AZ-104) Study Plan

12-Week Intensive Study Schedule

Week 1-2: Identity and Governance Foundation

Objective: Master Azure AD and RBAC fundamentals

Week 1: Azure Active Directory

  • Day 1-2: Azure AD users and groups
  • Create and manage users (portal, PowerShell, CLI)
  • Configure user properties and settings
  • Group types and membership management

  • Lab: Set up Azure AD tenant with users and groups

  • Day 3-4: Administrative units and device management

  • Administrative unit creation and management
  • Device join scenarios (Azure AD joined, hybrid, registered)
  • Device settings and compliance

  • Lab: Configure administrative units and device policies

  • Day 5-7: Bulk operations and SSPR

  • Bulk user creation, deletion, and updates
  • Self-service password reset configuration
  • Authentication methods and policies
  • Lab: Implement SSPR with multiple authentication methods

Week 2: Role-Based Access Control

  • Day 1-3: RBAC fundamentals
  • Built-in roles and their capabilities
  • Role assignment at different scopes
  • Effective permissions and inheritance

  • Lab: Configure RBAC for multiple scenarios

  • Day 4-5: Custom roles

  • Custom role creation and management
  • Actions, NotActions, and scope configuration
  • PowerShell and CLI role management

  • Lab: Create custom roles for specific scenarios

  • Day 6-7: Governance tools

  • Azure Policy implementation
  • Resource locks configuration
  • Tagging strategies and automation
  • Lab: Implement governance policies and locks

Week 3-4: Storage Solutions

Objective: Master Azure Storage services and configuration

Week 3: Storage Accounts and Security

  • Day 1-2: Storage account fundamentals
  • Storage account types and performance tiers
  • Replication options (LRS, ZRS, GRS, RA-GRS)
  • Storage account creation and configuration

  • Lab: Create storage accounts with different configurations

  • Day 3-4: Storage security

  • Access keys and SAS tokens
  • Azure AD authentication for storage
  • Network access restrictions

  • Lab: Configure storage security and access controls

  • Day 5-7: Storage services

  • Blob storage containers and lifecycle management
  • Azure Files and File Sync
  • Queue and Table storage basics
  • Lab: Implement blob lifecycle policies and Azure File Sync

Week 4: Advanced Storage Features

  • Day 1-2: Data movement and migration
  • AzCopy usage and scenarios
  • Azure Storage Explorer
  • Import/Export jobs

  • Lab: Migrate data using AzCopy and Storage Explorer

  • Day 3-4: Storage optimization

  • Storage tiers (hot, cool, archive)
  • Blob object replication
  • Performance monitoring and optimization

  • Lab: Configure storage tiers and replication

  • Day 5-7: Integration and automation

  • Storage account integration with other services
  • PowerShell automation for storage tasks
  • Storage monitoring and alerting
  • Lab: Automate storage management tasks

Week 5-6: Virtual Machine Management

Objective: Master VM deployment, configuration, and management

Week 5: VM Deployment and Configuration

  • Day 1-2: VM creation and sizing
  • VM families and sizing considerations
  • VM creation methods (portal, ARM templates, PowerShell)
  • VM configuration and extensions

  • Lab: Deploy VMs using different methods

  • Day 3-4: ARM templates

  • ARM template structure and components
  • Template deployment and management
  • Template modification and customization

  • Lab: Create and deploy custom ARM templates

  • Day 5-7: VM management

  • VM resizing and availability sets
  • VM disk management (OS and data disks)
  • VM backup and restore
  • Lab: Manage VM lifecycle and backups

Week 6: Advanced VM Features

  • Day 1-2: VM security
  • Azure Disk Encryption
  • VM security extensions
  • Update management and patch deployment

  • Lab: Implement VM security and patch management

  • Day 3-4: VM scale sets

  • Scale set creation and configuration
  • Auto-scaling policies
  • Load balancer integration

  • Lab: Deploy and configure VM scale sets

  • Day 5-7: Container services

  • Azure Container Instances
  • Azure Kubernetes Service basics
  • Container image management
  • Lab: Deploy containerized applications

Week 7-8: Virtual Networking

Objective: Master Azure networking and connectivity

Week 7: Virtual Networks and Subnets

  • Day 1-2: VNet fundamentals
  • VNet planning and design
  • Subnet creation and configuration
  • IP addressing and allocation

  • Lab: Design and implement VNet architecture

  • Day 3-4: VNet connectivity

  • VNet peering configuration
  • VPN Gateway setup
  • ExpressRoute basics

  • Lab: Implement VNet peering and VPN connectivity

  • Day 5-7: Network security

  • Network Security Groups (NSGs)
  • Application Security Groups
  • Service endpoints and private endpoints
  • Lab: Configure network security and service endpoints

Week 8: Load Balancing and Advanced Networking

  • Day 1-2: Azure Load Balancer
  • Load balancer types and configuration
  • Backend pools and health probes
  • Load balancing rules

  • Lab: Configure load balancing for VMs

  • Day 3-4: Application Gateway

  • Application Gateway configuration
  • SSL termination and URL routing
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF)

  • Lab: Deploy Application Gateway with SSL

  • Day 5-7: Network troubleshooting

  • Network Watcher tools
  • Connection troubleshooting
  • Network monitoring and diagnostics
  • Lab: Troubleshoot network connectivity issues

Week 9-10: App Services and Containers

Objective: Master PaaS services and container orchestration

Week 9: Azure App Service

  • Day 1-2: App Service fundamentals
  • App Service plan creation and configuration
  • Web app deployment methods
  • App Service scaling and performance

  • Lab: Deploy and scale web applications

  • Day 3-4: App Service features

  • Custom domains and SSL certificates
  • Authentication and authorization
  • Backup and restore

  • Lab: Configure custom domains and authentication

  • Day 5-7: Advanced App Service

  • Deployment slots and blue-green deployments
  • Application settings and connection strings
  • Monitoring and diagnostics
  • Lab: Implement deployment slots and monitoring

Week 10: Container Services

  • Day 1-3: Azure Kubernetes Service
  • AKS cluster creation and configuration
  • Node pools and scaling
  • Networking and storage in AKS

  • Lab: Deploy and manage AKS cluster

  • Day 4-5: Container management

  • Container Registry
  • Container instances
  • Container security and compliance

  • Lab: Build and deploy containerized applications

  • Day 6-7: Integration and orchestration

  • AKS integration with other Azure services
  • CI/CD for containers
  • Helm charts and application deployment
  • Lab: Implement CI/CD for container applications

Week 11: Monitoring and Backup

Objective: Master monitoring, alerting, and backup strategies

Monitoring and Alerting

  • Day 1-2: Azure Monitor fundamentals
  • Metrics and logs collection
  • Log Analytics workspace configuration
  • Query language (KQL) basics

  • Lab: Configure Azure Monitor and Log Analytics

  • Day 3-4: Alerting and notifications

  • Alert rules and action groups
  • Metric and log-based alerts
  • Notification channels

  • Lab: Create comprehensive alerting solution

  • Day 5-7: Application monitoring

  • Application Insights configuration
  • Custom telemetry and dashboards
  • Performance monitoring
  • Lab: Implement application performance monitoring

Backup and Recovery

  • Day 1-2: Azure Backup
  • Recovery Services vault configuration
  • VM backup policies and schedules
  • Backup monitoring and reporting

  • Lab: Configure VM backup and recovery

  • Day 3-4: Site Recovery

  • Azure Site Recovery setup
  • Disaster recovery planning
  • Failover and failback procedures

  • Lab: Implement disaster recovery solution

  • Day 5-7: Data protection strategies

  • Backup best practices
  • Cross-region replication
  • Compliance and retention policies
  • Lab: Design comprehensive data protection strategy

Week 12: Practice and Review

Objective: Consolidate knowledge and practice exam scenarios

Practice Tests and Labs

  • Day 1-2: Full practice test 1
  • Take comprehensive practice exam
  • Review incorrect answers
  • Identify knowledge gaps

  • Study weak areas

  • Day 3-4: Hands-on lab scenarios

  • Multi-tier application deployment
  • Hybrid connectivity scenarios
  • Security implementation

  • Disaster recovery testing

  • Day 5-6: Practice test 2 and final review

  • Second practice exam
  • Compare results with first test
  • Final review of key concepts

  • Create summary notes

  • Day 7: Exam preparation

  • Final confidence building
  • Exam logistics preparation
  • Relaxation and mental preparation

Hands-on Lab Requirements

Essential Labs by Week

  1. Week 1-2: Azure AD configuration, RBAC setup, governance policies
  2. Week 3-4: Storage account management, data migration, lifecycle policies
  3. Week 5-6: VM deployment, ARM templates, container services
  4. Week 7-8: Network architecture, load balancing, security
  5. Week 9-10: App services, AKS deployment, container management
  6. Week 11: Monitoring setup, backup configuration, disaster recovery
  7. Week 12: End-to-end scenarios, troubleshooting practice

Real-world Scenarios

  • Design and implement hybrid identity solution
  • Build multi-tier web application with database
  • Implement disaster recovery for critical workloads
  • Configure monitoring and alerting for production environment
  • Optimize costs and performance for existing resources

Study Resources by Priority

Primary Resources

  1. Microsoft Learn: AZ-104 learning paths (official content)
  2. Azure Documentation: Service-specific deep dives
  3. Hands-on Labs: Azure portal, PowerShell, CLI practice
  4. Microsoft Official Practice Test: Most accurate exam simulation

Secondary Resources

  1. Cloud Academy/A Cloud Guru: Structured courses and labs
  2. Pluralsight: In-depth technical training
  3. YouTube: Azure Academy, John Savill's Technical Training
  4. Books: Official Microsoft certification guides

Practice Resources

  1. MeasureUp: Comprehensive practice tests
  2. Whizlabs: Additional practice scenarios
  3. GitHub: Azure quickstart templates and samples
  4. Microsoft Docs: Official samples and tutorials

Success Metrics and Milestones

Weekly Milestones

  • Week 2: Comfortable with identity management and RBAC
  • Week 4: Proficient in storage configuration and management
  • Week 6: Skilled in VM deployment and ARM templates
  • Week 8: Expert in networking and connectivity
  • Week 10: Competent in PaaS services and containers
  • Week 11: Proficient in monitoring and backup
  • Week 12: Ready for exam with 85%+ practice scores

Key Performance Indicators

  • Practice Test Scores: Consistently above 80%
  • Hands-on Confidence: Complete tasks without documentation
  • Time Management: Finish practice tests within time limits
  • Troubleshooting Skills: Diagnose and resolve common issues

Emergency 4-Week Plan

If you only have 4 weeks: 1. Week 1: Identity, RBAC, and basic storage (focus on Microsoft Learn) 2. Week 2: VMs, networking, and load balancing (emphasize hands-on) 3. Week 3: App services, monitoring, and backup (practice scenarios) 4. Week 4: Practice tests and review (exam preparation focus)

Focus on hands-on practice and official Microsoft Learn content for maximum efficiency.

Free Hands-On Labs

Practice with real Azure environments using these free resources:

Official Microsoft Labs

Free Azure Resources

Practice Labs

Final Exam Tips

Day Before Exam

  • Review summary notes and key concepts
  • Avoid learning new material
  • Ensure good rest and nutrition
  • Verify exam logistics and location

During Exam

  • Read questions carefully, especially scenario-based ones
  • Use elimination strategy for multiple choice
  • Flag uncertain questions for review
  • Manage time effectively (about 3 minutes per question)
  • Stay calm and focused throughout

Common Exam Scenarios

  • Multi-tier application deployment and scaling
  • Hybrid connectivity and identity integration
  • Security implementation and compliance
  • Disaster recovery and business continuity
  • Cost optimization and resource management

Remember: AZ-104 is a hands-on administrator exam requiring practical experience. Prioritize lab work and real-world scenarios over theoretical study.