Microsoft AZ-120 Exam: Key Skills and Knowledge Areas Explained

The Microsoft AZ-120 exam, officially known as Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty, is tailored for IT professionals who work with SAP systems on Microsoft Azure. This certification validates a candidate's expertise in designing and managing SAP solutions on the Azure cloud. In this guide, we'll break down the key skills and knowledge areas covered in the AZ-120 exam, providing valuable insights into what candidates need to master for success.

1. Understanding Azure Infrastructure for SAP Workloads

To excel in the AZ-120 exam, candidates must have a solid understanding of Azure infrastructure. This includes an awareness of Azure’s compute, storage, and networking resources and how they support SAP workloads.

- Compute : Knowing the specifics of Azure VM sizes suited for SAP, including the HANA-certified VMs, is crucial. Candidates should understand how to select, configure, and manage VMs optimized for SAP HANA.

- Storage : Azure offers several storage solutions, like Azure NetApp Files and Managed Disks, which are designed to handle high IOPS (input/output operations per second) and latency requirements of SAP databases.

- Networking: Knowledge of networking components like Virtual Networks, Load Balancers, and ExpressRoute is essential. SAP workloads require robust connectivity, particularly for hybrid and multi-cloud scenarios where secure and high-performance links between on-premises data centers and Azure are vital.

2. Designing SAP Workloads on Azure

Designing SAP solutions in Azure requires knowledge of best practices for reliability, performance, and scalability. Here, candidates should demonstrate expertise in creating an optimized architecture that can handle SAP workloads.

SAP-certified Infrastructure : Candidates must understand which resources Azure has certified for SAP and know how to plan and design an SAP environment that meets both Microsoft and SAP standards.

Scalability and Performance : Solutions must be scalable and high-performing. Candidates should be able to leverage features like Azure Autoscale and Azure Load Balancer to adjust resources based on demand.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) : Maintaining availability and implementing a robust disaster recovery strategy are essential. This includes knowledge of the Azure Site Recovery service, replication, and backup solutions designed for SAP systems.

3. Implementing SAP Workloads on Azure

After designing an SAP environment on Azure, the next skill set involves implementing it. Candidates need hands-on experience configuring, deploying, and managing SAP solutions on Azure, ensuring compatibility and adherence to SAP requirements.

Deployment of SAP Solutions : Familiarity with tools like Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates and Azure CLI can help streamline deployments. Additionally, candidates should know how to deploy SAP HANA on Azure and configure VMs for optimal performance.

System Configuration and Tuning : SAP systems require specific configurations to run effectively on Azure. This includes understanding how to optimize resources, adjust VM settings, and manage storage to ensure high performance.

Monitoring and Troubleshooting : Azure provides monitoring tools like Azure Monitor and Log Analytics, which help keep track of SAP workload health. Candidates should know how to use these tools for proactive system management and troubleshooting.

4. SAP Workloads and Azure Security

Security is a crucial aspect of any cloud-based system, and SAP workloads on Azure are no exception. The AZ-120 exam expects candidates to understand security principles specific to Azure, as well as best practices for protecting SAP workloads.

Azure Security Best Practices: Candidates need to know Azure’s security features, like Network Security Groups (NSGs), Azure Active Directory (AAD), and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).

Data Protection and Encryption : Protecting sensitive SAP data is essential. Knowledge of encryption methods, including encryption at rest using Azure Disk Encryption and encryption in transit with SSL/TLS, is expected.

Identity Management : Integration of Azure AD with SAP solutions is essential for managing identities and access. This includes configuring single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security.

5. Migration Strategies for SAP Workloads to Azure

Migrating existing SAP workloads to Azure is a common scenario. Candidates must understand migration strategies, tools, and the steps involved in moving SAP systems from on-premises or other cloud environments to Azure.

Migration Tools and Methods : Azure provides several migration tools, such as Azure Migrate, Database Migration Service (DMS), and SAP’s own Software Provisioning Manager (SWPM). Candidates should be familiar with these tools and when to use them.

Planning and Execution : Candidates need to understand the complexities of SAP migration. This includes planning for downtime, preparing for compatibility checks, and ensuring post-migration validation.

Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Scenarios : In many cases, organizations opt for a hybrid or multi-cloud approach. Candidates should know how to set up and maintain connectivity between on-premises systems and Azure or between different cloud environments.

6. Cost Management and Optimization

Effective cost management is a key component of cloud-based SAP workloads. Candidates must have the skills to monitor and control costs in Azure.

Cost Analysis and Budgeting : Understanding Azure’s cost management tools, like Azure Cost Management and Azure Advisor, can help manage SAP workloads efficiently.

Resource Optimization : Candidates should be able to implement strategies for resource optimization, such as right-sizing VMs, scheduling downtime, and using Reserved Instances to reduce costs.

Cost-saving Best Practices : Candidates must understand how to leverage Azure Hybrid Benefit and other cost-saving measures for SAP solutions on Azure.

Final Thoughts

Passing the Microsoft AZ-120 exam demonstrates an advanced level of expertise in managing SAP workloads on Azure. With growing adoption of SAP solutions in cloud environments, this certification is highly relevant for IT professionals who wish to specialize in SAP on Azure.

As candidates prepare for the exam, it’s important to review each of these knowledge areas and gain hands-on experience where possible. Microsoft offers various resources, including documentation, white papers, and training modules, to support exam preparation. By focusing on the key skills and knowledge areas highlighted in this guide, candidates can approach the AZ-120 exam with confidence and significantly boost their cloud credentials in the SAP and Azure ecosystems.