Microsoft Learn: Azure Administrator (AZ-104) training

What it is

This is Microsoft's official training for the Azure Administrator Associate certification, published on Microsoft Learn as course AZ-104T00, "Microsoft Azure Administrator". The self-paced version is free and made of six learning paths: administrator prerequisites, managing identities and governance, configuring and managing virtual networks, implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing compute resources, and monitoring and backing up resources. The same content runs as a four-day instructor-led course through training partners, which is paid.

Who it is for

It is aimed at people who will implement, manage and monitor Azure environments. Microsoft recommends arriving with an understanding of virtualisation, networking concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, VPNs and firewalls, directory concepts such as users, groups and role-based access control, and backup and restore. If some of that is new, the prerequisites learning path and the Azure Fundamentals training fill the gaps.

What you learn

• Microsoft Entra ID users and groups, Azure RBAC role assignments, Azure Policy, resource locks and tags.
• Virtual networks and subnets, network security groups, DNS, peering, and load balancing with Azure Load Balancer and Application Gateway.
• Storage accounts, Blob Storage and access tiers, Azure Files, and securing storage access.
• Virtual machines and scale sets, App Service and containers.
• Azure Monitor, alerts, Log Analytics, and backup and recovery.

How long it takes

Microsoft lists the instructor-led course as four days. Self-paced, most people need several weeks of steady study, because the value is in doing each exercise in a real subscription or sandbox rather than reading it.

Free or paid

The learning paths are free with a Microsoft account. Many exercises need your own subscription, so use the Azure free account or Azure for Students, set a budget and delete resource groups when you finish. The AZ-104 exam is paid and priced by country, and Microsoft offers a free practice assessment on the certification page.

What you can do after it

You can build and secure the core of an Azure environment: identities and access, networks, storage, compute and monitoring. That is the skill set junior Azure and cloud support roles ask for, and it prepares you for the AZ-104 exam. After the certification, AZ-305 leads to the Azure Solutions Architect Expert.

Common questions

Is the training enough to pass? It covers every exam area. Pair it with hands-on labs, the official study guide and the practice assessment.

How do I keep the certification? Role-based Microsoft certifications are renewed every year with a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn.