The AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator certification is a Microsoft Azure role-based certification that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals in the role of Azure administrators. This certification is designed for individuals who manage cloud services that span storage, security, networking, and compute capabilities within the Microsoft Azure environment.

Here are some key details about the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator certification:

1. Prerequisites: While there are no formal prerequisites for the AZ-104 exam, Microsoft recommends having some prior experience with Azure services, cloud concepts, and basic networking knowledge. Familiarity with general IT concepts and experience in working with virtualization technologies can be beneficial.
2. Exam Format: The AZ-104 exam consists of multiple-choice questions, as well as some performance-based labs or case studies where candidates are presented with real-world scenarios and asked to solve problems using the Azure portal.
3. Exam Content: The certification exam covers various topics related to managing and administering Azure resources. Key areas include:
   • Azure Identity and Governance: Managing Azure Active Directory, users, groups, roles, and subscriptions.
   • Azure Storage: Configuring and managing storage accounts, blobs, files, and backups.
   • Azure Virtual Machines: Deploying and managing virtual machines, including configuring networking and storage options.
   • Azure Networking: Configuring virtual networks, VPN gateways, network security groups, and load balancers.
   • Azure Security: Implementing security features and monitoring solutions for Azure resources.
   • Azure Monitor and Insights: Configuring monitoring, logging, and alerts for Azure resources.
   • Azure Governance and Compliance: Implementing Azure policies, managing resource tags, and ensuring compliance.
4. Preparation: To prepare for the AZ-104 exam, candidates should have hands-on experience with Azure services and administrative tasks. Microsoft provides official exam preparation resources, including exam objectives, study guides, and free online courses on the Microsoft Learn platform. Additionally, there are various third-party training courses and practice exams available to support candidates’ preparation efforts.
5. Validity: Microsoft Azure certifications, including the AZ-104, are generally valid for two years. After this period, candidates need to recertify to demonstrate their up-to-date knowledge of Azure services and advancements in the platform.

Obtaining the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator certification demonstrates your expertise in managing Azure resources and provides recognition of your skills in administering cloud environments. It can significantly enhance your career prospects as an Azure administrator, cloud administrator, or cloud solutions architect, as it showcases your ability to efficiently manage and optimize Azure services for organizations.