Introduction
Passing the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator exam requires hands-on experience with Azure services. This guide provides essential labs, PowerShell/CLI commands, and explanations of tricky concepts to help you prepare efficiently.
1️⃣ Compute (Virtual Machines & Availability)
Lab: Deploy a VM using PowerShell
New-AzVM -ResourceGroupName "TestRG" -Name "JetVM" -Location "EastUS" -Size "Standard_B2s" -Credential (Get-Credential)✅ Key Concepts:
- VM Backup & Disaster Recovery → Use Azure Backup Vault.
- High Availability → Deploy VMs in Availability Zones.
2️⃣ Networking (VNETs, NSGs, VPNs, Peering)
Lab: Create a Virtual Network with Subnets and an NSG
New-AzVirtualNetwork -ResourceGroupName "TestRG" -Name "JetVNet" -Location "EastUS" -AddressPrefix "10.1.0.0/16"✅ Key Concepts:
- VNet Peering vs VPN Gateway:
- VNet Peering → Low latency, same region.
- VPN Gateway → Cross-region, IPSec tunnels.
3️⃣ Storage (Blob, Files, Disks, Backups)
Lab: Create a Storage Account
New-AzStorageAccount -ResourceGroupName "TestRG" -Name "jetstorage01" -SkuName "Standard_LRS" -Location "EastUS"✅ Key Concepts:
- Storage Tiers:
- Hot → Frequent access
- Cool → Infrequent access
- Archive → Long-term storage, lowest cost
4️⃣ Identity & Access Management (IAM, RBAC, MFA)
Lab: Assign RBAC Role to a User
New-AzRoleAssignment -SignInName "<user-email>" -RoleDefinitionName "Reader" -Scope "/subscriptions/your-subscription-id"✅ Key Concepts:
- RBAC vs Conditional Access:
- RBAC → Controls Azure resources.
- Conditional Access → Controls sign-in policies (MFA, device compliance).
5️⃣ Monitoring & Security (Azure Monitor, Defender for Cloud)
Lab: Set Up Alerts for High CPU Usage
New-AzMetricAlertRule -ResourceGroup "TestRG" -Name "CPUAlert" -TargetResourceId "/subscriptions/your-subscription-id/resourceGroups/TestRG/providers/Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/JetVM" -MetricName "Percentage CPU" -Threshold 80 -Operator GreaterThan -WindowSize 5m -EvaluationFrequency 1m✅ Key Concepts:
- Azure Monitor vs Log Analytics:
- Azure Monitor → Collects logs + metrics.
- Log Analytics → Queries & analyzes logs.
🚀 Final Exam Prep Tips
✅ Hands-on practice in Azure Free Tier + Pluralsight Labs. ✅ Take full-length practice tests (MeasureUp, Tutorials Dojo). ✅ Master PowerShell/CLI for automation scenarios. ✅ Simulate exam conditions (time yourself, no distractions).
📌 Conclusion
By following these structured labs and understanding key concepts, you’ll be well-prepared to ace AZ-104. Keep practicing, and best of luck on your certification journey! 🚀
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