Top 10 Skills Every Azure Administrator Should Master for the AZ-104 Exam

1. Understanding Azure Core Services

Before diving into complex tasks, ensure a solid grasp of Azure's core services. These include Virtual Machines (VMs), Azure Storage, Virtual Networks, and Azure Active Directory. Understanding the basics of these services will provide a strong foundation for solving real-world problems and configuring advanced solutions. Focus on:

• Deploying and managing VMs
• Setting up Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates
• Configuring Azure Blob, File, and Disk Storage

2. Resource Management and Governance

Azure administrators must manage subscriptions, resource groups, and tags effectively to optimize costs and maintain an organized cloud environment. Key skills include:

• Creating and managing Azure policies
• Using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to assign permissions
• Configuring and monitoring Azure Monitor and Log Analytics

Proficiency in resource management ensures your Azure infrastructure stays organized and adheres to governance standards.

3. Virtual Networking

Networking is the backbone of Azure infrastructure. Administrators need to design, implement, and manage virtual networks effectively. Key topics to focus on include:

• Configuring Virtual Network (VNet) peering
• Managing network security groups (NSGs) and application security groups (ASGs)
• Implementing site-to-site, point-to-site, and virtual private network (VPN) gateways

Additionally, understanding Azure DNS and load balancing solutions like Azure Load Balancer and Azure Application Gateway is crucial.

4. Identity and Access Management

Azure administrators must ensure secure access to Azure resources. This involves a deep understanding of Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). Key focus areas include:

• Managing Azure AD users and groups
• Configuring Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Implementing conditional access policies
• Integrating Azure AD with on-premises Active Directory

Strong identity and access management skills help ensure that only authorized users can access critical resources.

5. Azure Storage Management

Storage is a critical aspect of Azure. Understanding how to manage data efficiently is vital. You should be skilled in:

• Implementing Azure Storage accounts
• Configuring blob, table, queue, and file storage
• Managing backups and configuring storage replication options
• Implementing Azure File Sync for hybrid environments

These skills will help you manage large amounts of data while ensuring availability and redundancy.

6. Backup and Disaster Recovery

Business continuity is essential for any organization. Azure provides robust backup and disaster recovery solutions, and administrators should know how to configure them. Key areas to master include:

• Setting up Azure Backup and Recovery Services
• Implementing Azure Site Recovery (ASR) for disaster recovery
• Configuring backup policies and restoring data from backups

These skills will enable you to ensure data integrity and minimize downtime during outages.

7. Monitoring and Troubleshooting

A proactive approach to monitoring and troubleshooting ensures that potential issues are identified and resolved promptly. Key skills in this domain include:

• Setting up and interpreting Azure Monitor metrics and logs
• Configuring alerts for resource utilization
• Using Azure Advisor for best practice recommendations
• Diagnosing connectivity and performance issues

Effective monitoring minimizes downtime and improves system performance.

8. Implementing and Managing Hybrid Environments

Many organizations operate in a hybrid cloud environment. Azure administrators should understand how to integrate and manage these setups. Focus on:

• Configuring Azure Arc for hybrid and multi-cloud scenarios
• Implementing VPN or ExpressRoute for connectivity
• Using Azure Active Directory Connect to synchronize on-premises and cloud directories

Hybrid management skills are increasingly important in today’s interconnected IT landscapes.

9. Automation Using PowerShell and CLI

Automation is key to efficient Azure management. Familiarity with scripting and command-line tools can save time and reduce errors. Key areas include:

• Writing PowerShell scripts for common administrative tasks
• Using Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI) for resource management
• Implementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with ARM templates and Bicep
• Configuring automation workflows with Azure Automation and Logic Apps
• Automation ensures consistency and scalability in Azure deployments.

10. Security Management

Security is paramount in any cloud environment. Azure administrators must ensure their systems are secure from external threats. Key skills include:

• Implementing Azure Security Center and Azure Defender
• Managing Azure Key Vault for secrets and certificates
• Configuring Just-In-Time VM access
• Understanding firewalls, encryption, and network segmentation

A strong focus on security management helps protect sensitive data and applications.

Tips for Success in the AZ-104 Exam

Study Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft’s official documentation provides comprehensive guidance for each topic in the AZ-104 syllabus.

Use Practice Tests: Leverage practice exams to identify weak areas and build confidence.

Hands-On Practice: Use the Azure portal and Azure free tier to experiment with real-world scenarios.

Join a Study Group: Collaborating with peers can help clarify complex concepts and provide additional resources.

Mastering these skills not only helps you succeed in the AZ-104 exam but also prepares you for a rewarding career as an Azure Administrator. With cloud adoption growing rapidly, your expertise in Azure administration will be in high demand across industries.