Microsoft Azure is one of the leading cloud providing platforms.
Due to the continuous changes and development in the IT industry, a large number of business organizations are switching to cloud-computing for managing and controlling their data. As a result, more and more business organizations are seeking services of Azure-trained experts and technicians to perform Azure-based operations for them.
As the Azure platform is a newer cloud platform, there is a lack of trained professionals who can handle Azure-based tasks efficiently. Therefore, these IT certifications are in great demand, and you can greatly benefit from this certification. Because if you have a certification, it will automatically upgrade your CV and you will have more job offers as organizations value this certification as proof of your expertise and skills.
Presently, Microsoft offers training that is specially designed keeping the following roles in mind:
- Administrators
- Architects
- Developers
- DevOps Engineers
- Security Engineers
Among all these certifications, one of the most popular and versatile certification that you can opt for is Azure Architect certification. Cloud Architecture is one of the major functions of cloud technology. If you are planning to opt for this certification, it is important to keep in mind that this is an expert-level certification. It will be comparatively easier for you to clear the exam if you have some years of practical experience in performing varied features of IT tasks, such as virtualization, budgeting, security, data management, networking, identity, business continuity, disaster recovery, and governance.
You can opt for this certification if you have worked previously in an Azure-based environment and have worked in either its development or administration. If you have some basic knowledge about these departments, then you can easily clear the examination.
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification
The Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect certification is an excellent way of validating your skills and knowledge in Azure-based cloud computing. Through Azure training, you will be able to prove your skills and expertise in creating cloud solutions within various operations, be it storage, compute, networking, or security. There are no specific requirements to be eligible for this certification. However, as mentioned earlier, since this an expert-level certification, it is advised that you opt for this certification if you have some years of professional experience in cloud-related operations, beforehand.
Still, if you want to go for this certification with less experience, it is better that you first complete one or more certifications from the Azure Associate Level. Since all the certifications under this level are either introductory or mid-level, you can get essential knowledge on all fundamentals to attempt for expert-level certifications.
The examination for Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification
You have to clear the following exam in order to get your Azure Solutions Architect certification.
- AZ-300: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies
- AZ-301: Microsoft Azure Architect Design
- AZ-302: Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification Transition (This certification will no longer be required after 30 June 2019)
To obtain your certification, you have to clear the Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies and Azure Architect Design exam. However, there is no restriction on which exam you attempt first. However, it is better that you attempt the AZ-300 first since it provides a foundation for the exam objectives of AZ-301. To get the Architect certification, it is not mandatory to clear any exam under the Associate Level category. The AZ-300 exam is designed to check your knowledge on Azure-based technologies, whereas the AZ-301 exam focuses more on designing data solutions for your organization.
Why opt for Microsoft Azure Solutions Architecture Certification?
You should opt for this certification due to the following reasons:
Ability to execute cloud-based solutions
Through this certification, you will be able to perform various tasks related to the technology, along with solutions for networking, storage, virtual machines, as well as Azure Active Directory.
Integration of networks
You will also learn the fundamentals of executing security as well as workloads. You will also learn how to integrate your enterprise’s existing network to an Azure-based virtual network as well as ways to transfer your servers to Azure by utilizing Site Recovery.
Expertise in network security
You will also be able to perform load balancing for your organization which will assist you in improving performance as well as availability. You will learn about securing your own network and protecting it from cyber attacks, trespassing or infiltration and ways to effectively manage various applications on the Azure platform. You will also gain an understanding of how to utilize Azure Key Vault, to be able to save your cryptographic keys.
Training in autoscaling
Probably one of the most exceptional properties of the cloud is the feature of auto-scaling. Auto-scaling enables you to include and disconnect compute resources according to the requirements of your organization. This saves you the trouble of needing to supply additional compute resources to deal with peaks.
Improvement in network strategy
In large business corporations, there are multiple identities to control and oversee. To handle them efficiently, it is necessary to have an adequate system for the administration of identities. By completing this certification, you can easily assign authentication for each of the identities, as well as provide the appropriate scale of authorization to approach the supplies.
It also provides various kinds of data services, some of which are data lakes, relational databases, data warehouses, non-relational databases, etc. You will also learn how to create various strategies for networking, storage as well as compute with the help of various tools and resources.
Conclusion
Azure Solutions can help you begin a career as a cloud specialist, and there are many opportunities to progress in this field because of its relative newness. You can always supplement this with other, more advanced certifications but to get started the Microsoft Azure Solutions is a good first step. The skills you learn will come useful in many other areas, making you a valuable member of your company’s network management team.
