When I set out to earn the AZ-104 Certification, I knew it was going to be challenging. This exam is designed to test your ability to manage various cloud services within Microsoft Azure, including storage, security, networking, and compute resources. Here’s a look at how I prepared for the exam, the hurdles I encountered, and how I managed to get through it all.
Steps to Get Prepared for AZ-104 Certification:-
1. Getting to Grips with the Exam Objectives
The first thing I did was dig into the exam objectives provided by Microsoft. They outline the key areas of knowledge you’ll need, like managing Azure identities and governance, handling storage, deploying compute resources, setting up virtual networks, and monitoring and backing up resources.
Challenge: The sheer scope of topics can be intimidating, especially with Azure constantly updating and evolving.
Solution: To manage this, I broke the objectives down into smaller, more manageable sections and tackled them one at a time. I also made sure to stay up to date with the latest Azure developments by subscribing to Microsoft’s blog and forums.
2. Laying the Groundwork with Training Resources
I relied a lot on online courses, especially from platforms like Microsoft Learn and Whizlabs. Whizlabs AZ-104 Course was crucial in helping me understand complex concepts and included hands-on labs that allowed me to practice what I was learning.I have focused heavily on hands-on labs to ensure I was gaining practical experience alongside the theoretical knowledge.
3. Getting Hands-On Practice
Practical experience is key when working with Azure, so I spent a lot of time in the Whizlabs Hands-on Labs, working with Whizlabs Credentials in the Azure Portal. I practiced setting up virtual machines, configuring networks, and managing storage solutions.
Challenge:The Azure portal can feel overwhelming, especially with so many different options and configurations to consider.
Solution: I started with simple tasks and gradually worked my way up to more complex configurations. I made a point of documenting everything I did, which helped me learn from any mistakes and solidify my understanding.
4. Connecting with the Community
One of the best decisions I made was joining study groups and participating in online forums. This allowed me to share knowledge, ask questions, and learn from others who were also preparing for the exam.
Challenge: Sometimes discussions would veer off into advanced topics or areas that weren’t directly relevant to the exam.
Solution: I made sure to stay focused on conversations that aligned with the exam objectives, using the community as a supplementary resource rather than my main source of study material.
5. Preparing for the Exam Day
Taking practice exams was a crucial part of my preparation. These tests helped me identify my weaknesses and get accustomed to the format and timing of the actual exam.
Challenge: The real exam can be tougher than practice tests, especially in how the questions are worded.
Solution: I worked hard to understand the concepts so I could apply my knowledge to various scenarios. I also continued practicing the hands-on labs to ensure I was thoroughly prepared. I took the Whizlabs practice tests daily to test my understanding of the concepts and to focus on areas where I was lagging.
What to Expect on the AZ-104 Exam
The AZ-104 exam covers a broad range of topics related to Azure administration, designed to test both your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Here’s what you can expect in the exam:
1. Multiple-Choice and Multiple-Select Questions
- What They Are: These questions either ask you to pick one correct answer from a list (multiple-choice) or select several correct answers (multiple-select).
- Example: “Which of the following Azure services can be used to create virtual networks?”
- A) Azure Storage
- B) Azure Virtual Network
- C) Azure SQL Database
- D) Azure App Service
- How to Prepare: Focus on understanding core Azure services and their functionalities. Review official Microsoft documentation and practice using these services in the Azure portal.
2. Scenario-Based Questions
- What They Are: You’ll be given a real-world scenario and asked to choose the best solution or configuration.
- Example: “You are an administrator for an organization that needs to deploy a high-availability web application. Which Azure services should you use to ensure availability and scalability?”
- How to Prepare: These questions assess your practical knowledge. Make sure you’re comfortable with deploying, managing, and configuring Azure services. Hands-on experience is crucial, so spend time creating solutions in Azure.
3. Drag-and-Drop Questions
- What They Are: You might be asked to match terms with their definitions or arrange steps in a specific process.
- Example: “Drag and drop the steps for creating an Azure Virtual Machine in the correct order.”
- How to Prepare: Get familiar with the sequence of steps involved in common Azure tasks. Use Azure’s hands-on labs to practice and reinforce these processes.
4. Command Line and Powershell Questions
- What They Are: These questions focus on Azure CLI and PowerShell commands. You might need to select the correct command or spot errors in a script.
- Example: “Which Azure CLI command is used to create a resource group?”
- az group create –name myResourceGroup –location east-us
- How to Prepare: Practice writing and executing Azure CLI and PowerShell commands. Platforms like Microsoft Learn offer practice scenarios to help you get comfortable with these tools.
5. Case Study Questions
- What They Are: These are more detailed and involve reading through a case study, followed by several related questions.
- Example: “Given the case study details, recommend a solution for migrating an on-premises database to Azure SQL Database.”
- How to Prepare: These questions require a solid understanding of Azure architecture and best practices. Review case studies and practice designing solutions based on real-world requirements.
6. Questions on Specific Topics:
- ARM Templates & Bicep Files: Expect questions on deploying resources using ARM Templates and Bicep files, including customization and troubleshooting.
- Virtual Networking: You’ll likely encounter questions about configuring VNet peering, subnets, NSGs, and VPNs.
- Recovery Services Vault: Be prepared to answer questions on backup and disaster recovery, including configuring and managing a Recovery Services Vault.
- Azure Monitor & Alerts: Questions may focus on setting up monitoring and alerts, as well as interpreting logs and metrics.
- Load Balancing: Prepare for scenarios involving the configuration of Azure Load Balancers, Application Gateways, and Traffic Manager profiles.
- Azure CLI & PowerShell Commands: Be familiar with common commands for managing resources, configuring services, and automating tasks.
- User, Groups, and Permissions: Expect questions on managing users, groups, and permissions within Azure.
- Azure Container Services and Azure Kubernetes Services: Prepare for questions related to deploying and managing containerized applications and Kubernetes clusters.
- Azure App Services for Fully-Managed Apps: Be ready for questions about deploying and managing applications using Azure App Services.
- Managing Resources, Scoping, and Subscriptions: Understand how to manage resources, scopes, and subscriptions effectively.
- Various Storage Models via Azure Storage Accounts: Expect questions on different storage options and their configurations in Azure.
Wrapping It Up
Preparing for the AZ-104 certification exam was demanding but incredibly rewarding. The journey required a balanced mix of theoretical study and practical application. Overcoming the challenges made achieving the certification even more satisfying. If you’re gearing up for this exam, I recommend investing in the Whizlabs AZ-104 Course Bundle (including video courses, hands-on labs, and practice tests). Best of luck on your certification journey! This version maintains a personal touch and provides clear, actionable insights for readers preparing for the AZ-104 exam.
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