Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Course and Certification

If you're new to Microsoft Azure, getting started can be overwhelming, but don't worry, there's a course that can help you build a solid foundation.

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals course is designed for anyone looking to learn the basics of Azure, including IT professionals, developers, and data analysts.

This course covers the core Azure concepts, such as Azure services, deployment models, and security features.

It's a great starting point for anyone looking to learn more about Azure and prepare for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification.

Cloud computing is a model for delivering computing services over the internet, where resources are provided as a service to users on-demand. Cloud services offer high availability, scalability, elasticity, agility, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery.

The benefits of using cloud services include economies of scale, reduced capital expenditures (CapEx), and increased operational expenditures (OpEx). Cloud services are delivered through a consumption-based model, which means users only pay for what they use.

There are several types of cloud services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides virtualized computing resources, PaaS provides a platform for developing and deploying applications, and SaaS provides software applications over the internet.

To pass the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, candidates should have a core foundational knowledge of cloud services and an understanding of how Microsoft Azure provides cloud services. They should also have working experience and skills in IT areas like software development, infrastructure, and database management.

The exam measures a candidate's ability to demonstrate knowledge of cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. Cloud concepts cover around 25-30% of the exam and include identifying the advantages of cloud services usage and understanding the differences between various categories of cloud services.

Azure architecture and services cover around 35-40% of the exam and include describing Azure core architectural components, compute and networking services, storage services, identity, access, and security services. Azure management and governance cover around 30-35% of the exam and include describing cost management, governance and compliance features and tools, managing and deploying tools, and monitoring tools.

To get started with cloud computing, it's essential to understand the core concepts, including cloud service types, core architectural components, compute and networking services, storage services, identity, access, and security services, cost management, governance and compliance features and tools, managing and deploying tools, and monitoring tools.

Azure Core Services are the foundation of the Azure platform, providing the building blocks for a wide range of applications and services. Azure Compute Services include Virtual Machine, VM Scale Set, App Service, Functions, Container Instances, and Kubernetes Service.

Azure Storage Services are another key component, offering Blob, Disk, File, and Archive storage options. These services are designed to provide a scalable and secure way to store and manage data in the cloud.

Azure Compute and Networking Services are also essential, including Virtual Network, Load Balancer, VPN Gateway, Application Gateway, and CDN. These services enable users to create and manage virtual networks, load balance traffic, and secure their applications with VPNs and firewalls. Some of the key Azure Compute and Networking Services include:

Azure Core Services make up a significant portion of the AZ 900 certification exam, covering around 30-35% of the questions. This includes Azure compute and networking services, which are essential for building and deploying cloud-based solutions.

Azure compute services include virtual machines, virtual machine scale sets, and functions. These services allow you to run and manage your applications in the cloud. You can create virtual machines with different configurations, such as CPU, memory, and storage, to suit your application's needs.

Azure networking services include virtual networks, load balancers, and VPN gateways. These services enable you to connect your applications and services securely and reliably. You can create virtual networks to isolate your applications and services from each other, and use load balancers to distribute traffic across multiple instances.

Azure storage services include blob, disk, and file storage. These services allow you to store and manage your data in the cloud. You can use blob storage to store unstructured data, such as images and videos, and use disk storage to store operating systems and applications.

Here's a breakdown of the core Azure services:

Azure Core Services are the foundation of the AZ 900 certification exam, and mastering these services is essential for building and deploying cloud-based solutions.

Navigation is a crucial aspect of Azure, and understanding how to navigate its various services and features is essential for getting the most out of your Azure experience.

You can start with the Course Overview episode, which provides a comprehensive introduction to Azure and its core services. From there, you can dive into specific topics, such as cloud computing, high availability, and scalability, which are covered in episodes 1 and 2.

Azure's consumption-based model is explained in episode 4, which is a key concept to grasp when it comes to understanding Azure's pricing and cost structure. You can also learn about the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS in episode 5, which will help you determine which service is best for your needs.

Here's a list of some of the key navigation topics in Azure:

By understanding these navigation topics, you'll be well on your way to mastering Azure and getting the most out of its powerful services and features.

In Azure, security is a top priority. Azure Security Center is a powerful tool that helps protect your resources and data.

Azure Security Center offers a variety of features, including threat detection and vulnerability assessments.

To get started with Azure Security Center, check out Episode 26: Azure Security Center and usage scenarios.

Another important aspect of security in Azure is data protection. Azure Key Vault is a secure store for sensitive data, such as API keys and certificates.

Azure Key Vault provides a secure way to store and manage sensitive data, making it an essential tool for any Azure user.

For more information on Azure Key Vault, be sure to watch Episode 27: Azure Key Vault.

Security is a top priority in the cloud, and Azure offers robust tools to protect your data and applications. Azure Security Center is a great place to start, with features like threat protection and vulnerability assessment.

Azure Key Vault is another essential tool for securing sensitive data. It provides a secure way to store and manage access to sensitive information like API keys and certificates.

Securing network connectivity is also crucial, and Azure offers several features to help with this. Azure Firewall provides network security and threat protection, while Azure DDoS Protection helps prevent distributed denial-of-service attacks.

To get started with securing your network, consider implementing Azure Security Groups, which can help control traffic flow and block malicious traffic. You can also use User-defined Routes (UDR) to manage traffic flow and ensure that data is routed securely.

Service Level Agreements help ensure that security measures are in place and functioning correctly. This is particularly important for organizations that handle sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or personal identifiable information.

Regularly reviewing and updating Service Level Agreements is crucial to maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations. For instance, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires service providers to have a Service Level Agreement in place to protect sensitive cardholder data.

Service Level Agreements also outline the responsibilities of both parties involved, including the service provider and the customer. This includes clearly defining the scope of the agreement, the level of security expected, and the consequences of non-compliance.

In the event of a security breach, having a clear Service Level Agreement in place can help facilitate the response and recovery process. This includes defining roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, and incident response procedures.

Regularly monitoring and reporting on security metrics is also a key component of Service Level Agreements. This helps identify potential security risks and allows for proactive measures to be taken to prevent breaches.