Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Home / security / udemy

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Full Exam Prep (AZ-900) - JUL24

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Full Exam Prep (AZ-900) - JUL24

 [NEW] Prepare for your AZ900 exam with 6 high-quality practice test questions with detailed explanations.

Enroll Now

Microsoft Azure is one of the leading cloud service providers, offering a wide range of services from computing and storage to advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. The Azure Fundamentals certification (AZ-900) is an entry-level exam designed to validate foundational knowledge of cloud services and how those services are provided with Microsoft Azure. This guide is tailored to prepare you thoroughly for the AZ-900 exam, covering all key topics and providing practical insights.

Understanding Cloud Concepts

1.1 Cloud Computing Overview

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet (the cloud), which enables faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. There are three main types of cloud computing deployment models:

  • Public Cloud: Services are delivered over the public internet and shared across organizations.
  • Private Cloud: Services are maintained on a private network, offering higher security and control.
  • Hybrid Cloud: Combines public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them.
1.2 Benefits of Cloud Computing
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduces the capital expense of buying hardware and software.
  • Scalability: Resources can be scaled up or down based on demand.
  • Performance: High-performance resources are available with minimal latency.
  • Reliability: Data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity are easier and less expensive.

Core Azure Services

2.1 Compute Services

Azure provides various compute services, enabling you to run your applications on virtual machines or in containers:

  • Azure Virtual Machines: Provide on-demand, scalable computing resources.
  • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): Simplifies deploying and managing containerized applications.
  • Azure App Services: A platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering for hosting web applications, RESTful APIs, and mobile backends.
2.2 Storage Services

Azure storage solutions are designed to provide durable and scalable data storage options:

  • Azure Blob Storage: Optimized for storing large amounts of unstructured data.
  • Azure Disk Storage: High-performance storage for Azure Virtual Machines.
  • Azure File Storage: Fully managed file shares in the cloud accessible via the SMB protocol.
2.3 Networking Services

Azure networking services connect and manage your cloud and on-premises infrastructure:

  • Azure Virtual Network: Enables secure connections between Azure resources.
  • Azure Load Balancer: Distributes incoming network traffic across multiple targets.
  • Azure VPN Gateway: Provides secure, cross-premises connectivity.
2.4 Databases

Azure offers a variety of database services to fit different needs:

  • Azure SQL Database: Fully managed relational database service.
  • Azure Cosmos DB: Globally distributed, multi-model database service.
  • Azure Database for PostgreSQL/MySQL: Fully managed community versions of PostgreSQL and MySQL.

Azure Solutions and Management Tools

3.1 Azure Solutions

Azure provides several pre-built solutions for various industries and use cases:

  • IoT Solutions: Azure IoT Hub and Azure IoT Central for building IoT applications.
  • Big Data and Analytics: Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure Databricks for big data processing.
  • AI and Machine Learning: Azure Machine Learning and Cognitive Services for building AI applications.
3.2 Management Tools

Managing Azure resources efficiently requires understanding the available tools:

  • Azure Portal: A web-based interface for managing Azure services.
  • Azure CLI: A command-line tool for managing Azure resources.
  • Azure PowerShell: A set of cmdlets for managing Azure resources.
  • Azure Resource Manager (ARM): Enables you to manage your infrastructure through declarative templates.

Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust

4.1 Security Features

Azure integrates security at all levels, from physical security to application security:

  • Azure Security Center: Provides unified security management and advanced threat protection.
  • Azure Active Directory (AD): Manages users and groups, and provides single sign-on and multi-factor authentication.
  • Network Security Groups (NSGs): Control inbound and outbound traffic to Azure resources.
4.2 Privacy and Compliance

Azure complies with numerous international and industry-specific standards:

  • GDPR Compliance: Azure services comply with GDPR regulations for data protection.
  • ISO/IEC Certifications: Azure holds various ISO/IEC certifications, ensuring high standards of security and privacy.
4.3 Trust and Transparency

Microsoft provides transparency about data collection and usage:

  • Service Trust Portal: Provides information on Microsoft’s security, privacy, and compliance practices.
  • Compliance Manager: Helps you assess and manage compliance risk.

Azure Pricing and Support

5.1 Pricing Models

Understanding Azure pricing models is crucial for cost management:

  • Pay-as-you-go: Pay only for the resources you use.
  • Reserved Instances: Commit to using a certain amount of resources for a lower price.
  • Spot Instances: Purchase unused capacity at a discounted rate.
5.2 Cost Management

Azure provides tools for monitoring and optimizing costs:

  • Azure Cost Management and Billing: Tracks and manages cloud spend.
  • Azure Pricing Calculator: Estimates costs for Azure services.
5.3 Support Plans

Microsoft offers various support plans to help you get the most from Azure:

  • Basic: Free access to self-help resources.
  • Developer: For trial and non-production environments.
  • Standard: For production workloads, providing faster response times.
  • Professional Direct: For business-critical workloads requiring direct access to support professionals.

Preparing for the Exam

6.1 Study Resources

To prepare for the AZ-900 exam, utilize the following resources:

  • Microsoft Learn: Free, interactive learning paths and modules.
  • Official Practice Tests: Simulate the exam experience.
  • Instructor-Led Training: Attend courses taught by certified instructors.
6.2 Exam Structure

The AZ-900 exam covers several key domains:

  • Cloud Concepts: 20-25%
  • Core Azure Services: 15-20%
  • Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust: 25-30%
  • Azure Pricing and Support: 20-25%
6.3 Tips for Success
  • Understand the Basics: Ensure a solid understanding of cloud computing concepts.
  • Hands-On Practice: Use the Azure free account to practice deploying and managing services.
  • Review the Exam Guide: Familiarize yourself with the exam objectives and format.
  • Join Study Groups: Collaborate with others preparing for the exam.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification (AZ-900) is a stepping stone to a career in cloud computing. By understanding cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, compliance, and Azure pricing, you’ll be well-prepared to pass the AZ-900 exam and leverage Azure's capabilities in your professional endeavors.