1/24/2021 How to Become an Azure Administrator?

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How to Become an Azure Administrator?

By Neeru Jain - September 9, 2019

Microsoft Azure is presently one of the biggest leaders in the cloud computing landscape alongside AWS and
Google Cloud Platform. Azure is the preferred public cloud by businesses of all sizes. The large network of data
centers and high security for private connections and storage solutions make Azure the chosen favorite. Almost
80% of companies in Fortune 500 depend on Microsoft Azure. Therefore, you can understand that the demand
for jobs in Azure-speci c roles is increasing gradually.

One of the most popular job roles related to the Microsoft Azure platform is the Azure administrator role. Since
Azure is continuously expanding its collection of cloud services, companies can move faster in their digital
transformation journey. Therefore, IT professionals can secure promising advantages for their careers by
acquiring Azure skills and the relevant Azure Certi cation. The following discussion will take you through
essential concerns on how to become Azure Administrator. So, let’s get ahead!

Check Now: Microsoft Azure Certi cation Training Courses

Path to Become an Azure Administrator

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Prior to the discussion on steps for becoming an Azure administrator, let us nd out the starting point. If you
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want to become azure admin, then you have to start with azure fundamentals. Individuals with professional
experience in Azure-speci c job role could aim at improving their skills with of cial certi cation. However, you
could also be included in other scenarios. So, let us outline each possible scenario of your starting point in the
journey of becoming an Azure administrator.

First of all, you may be just starting off with cloud concepts without any clear idea of the job role. The second
scenario may involve people having familiarity with other public clouds without any Azure experience. Another
possible scenario may involve on-premise sysadmins trying to change to a cloud-based role. The recommended
solution for these scenarios is to take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam with the code AZ-900. AZ-900
exam preparation can help you understand basic Azure concepts and follow the Azure learning path for the
administrator role.

AZ-104 is the new exam for the Microsoft Azure Administrator role, valid from April 2, 2020. But the exam AZ-
103 will also remain available until August 31, 2020. If you are planning to take the new exam AZ-104, follow
the comprehensive guide for the AZ-104 exam preparation, otherwise go with the AZ-103 exam preparation
guide.

Reasons to Choose Administrator Jobs in Azure

Many readers might be wondering about reasons to become Azure administrator, aren’t you? First of all, you get
excellent career opportunities when you become an Azure admin. Every employer looks for potential candidates
having of cial azure certi cation. The training in azure system administration tasks validates your capabilities
before employers and clients. As a result, you can land up with promising jobs and also get raises in your
earnings. Estimates have indicated that online course certi cations increase salaries by 20 to 40 percent. 

Furthermore, you also have the chance of getting employment in one of the Fortune 500 companies. The
exibility of working in different industry sectors is also a promising reason to choose a career in Azure
administration. Furthermore, an Azure administrator certi cation helps you understand the application of azure
concepts in solving business problems. Most important of all, around 365,000 new companies adopt MS Azure
every year. This indicates a promising future for your career.

Have a look at the Google trends, giving an insight into the increasing demand of the Microsoft Azure
administrator role.

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Basic Skills of an Azure Administrator

The sole response for how to become an azure administrator lies in skill development. Azure is a promising
platform known for its user-friendly nature. However, you should also focus on understanding the basic
technologies before thinking of a career in Azure system administration. The basic azure administrator skills you
need to have are below.

A clear understanding of core Azure services is highly crucial for an Azure platform-speci c job role. You
need to understand the basic functioning of networking, databases, software, and servers in the cloud.
Individuals with previous experience in AWS or Google Cloud can help considerably for the transition to
Azure platform.
Basic Microsoft knowledge is mandatory for professionals looking for a career in Azure system
administration. You need to have experience in using products such as PowerShell and Of ce 365. As a
result, you can understand the ways in which these services integrate with Azure.
Another important aspect to focus on is programming knowledge. Azure administrators need to have
expertise in any one of the programming languages. Basic knowledge in opensource frameworks such as
ASP.NET and programming languages such as JavaScript, SQL Server, and HTML5 is preferable.

Emphasis on Role-Speci c Skills

You should also take a closer look at the role-speci c azure administrator skills. The skills are highly crucial for
ensuring alignment with the role of an Azure administrator. The role of Azure administrators is to implement,
monitor and maintain MS Azure solutions and major services related to compute, network, security, and storage.

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The azure administrator job description generally involves running VMs on the cloud. Therefore, you can
ensure success in your job role through expertise in industry-leading hypervisor platforms such as Microsoft
Hyper-V.
Containers are the new approach for virtualization of services, and container orchestration platforms are
crucial for managing containers. Therefore, you need to gain skills in Docker and Kubernetes for a successful
career in Azure system administration.
Azure administrators also need to manage storage solutions for VM virtual hard disks, database les, user
data, and application data. Therefore, Azure administrators need to learn the use of speci c Microsoft tools
for storage administration.
You need to have skills for securing data against unauthorized access as well as backing up data.
Administrators should also ensure that the data backups are ideal for restoration when needed.
An azure administrator should also have skills for con guring long-term archival storage alongside
maintaining corporate compliance.
The azure administrator job description also requires skills in networking. Candidates should have
comprehensive knowledge of networking tasks and the complete Azure networking stack.
You should have skills in deployment and con guration of virtual networks and orchestration of routing
paths, particularly for hybrid cloud. Azure administrators should also have expertise in the management of
public and private IP addresses for VMs and selected Azure resources.
The nal mention in speci c skills for azure administrators relates to security. Candidates should have
profound expertise in using Microsoft’s diverse security controls.
In addition, you should have skills for encryption of data in rest, use, and transit states. The other important
skills include protection of Azure Active Directory accounts and reducing attack vulnerabilities in Azure
resources.

Ready to take the AZ-103 certi cation exam? Check your preparation level with the AZ-103
practice tests.

The Job Description of Azure System Administration Personnel

You should also take a look at the job description of Azure administrators to build a successful career. Basically,
azure administrators have to deal with implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of Azure solutions.
However, the additional aspects noted commonly in the job description of azure administrators.

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Managing cloud infrastructure service instances and multiple cloud servers
Leading, monitoring and maintenance of multiuser computing environment according to organizational
requirements
Setting up public and private cloud systems
Balancing workloads and deploying them
Selection of cloud provides in accordance with requirements
Implementing cost-effective cloud-based systems according to technical speci cations of the organization

Certi cation Needed for a Job in Azure Administration

One of the most important factors in your journey to an administrator job role on the azure platform is Azure
certi cation. Of cial Azure administrator certi cation is crucial for showing your skills to potential employers
and clients. With the certi cation, you can prove your commitment to the eld of Azure system administration.
Most important of all, you get industry-level recognition with the of cial azure certi cation alongside promising
improvements in your salary.

So, you should go for the Microsoft Certi ed Azure Administrator Associate certi cation exam AZ-103 to start
your career in Azure administration. Let’s have a look at the more details of Azure administrator certi cation.

Prerequisites for Azure Administrator Certi cation

Candidates looking for a job in Azure system administrator should also note the prerequisites for associate-level
certi cation. You should have at least one year of experience in on-premises system administration with diverse
platforms. Most important of all, you need to have basic cloud computing skills. The recommended course of
action would be to take the Azure fundamentals certi cation exam. Furthermore, you should also have profound
expertise in any one of the programming languages used in the cloud.

Preparing for AZ-103 Azure Administrator certi cation? Follow this comprehensive AZ-103
exam preparation guide and get ready to pass the exam.

Abilities Tested in the Certi cation

The AZ-103 certi cation exam for Azure administrator associate level would test the following abilities.

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Management
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Implementation and management of storage solutions
Deployment and managing virtual machines (VMs)
Con guration and management of virtual networks
Identity management

Salary of Micorosft Azure Administration Professionals

The most important factor that drives individuals towards a career in Azure system administration is Azure
administrator salary. As per Nigel Frank’s Azure Administrator Salary Survey, The average annual salary for an
Azure Administrator in the US is $100,000. However, it may vary from $80,000 to $125,000 depending on the
skill level of the professional.

For example, the Microsoft Certi ed Azure Administrator salary for entry-level professionals is $80,000 annually
on average. On the other hand, high-level professionals can get almost $125,000 annually on average.  These
estimates clearly indicate a promising career for you in an Azure administrator’s job role.

Conclusion

On a concluding note, the job opportunities are plenty in jobs for Azure system administration. As an Azure
administrator, candidates become part of an ever-growing cloud platform that is also achieving great heights of
success. Most important of all, candidates can nd exible approaches for entering a career in Azure system
administration. Basic skills such as cloud computing concepts, programming, and knowledge of Microsoft
products help considerably at the starting point. Candidates should focus on role-speci c skills such as
administration of compute, storage, network, and security resources.

Furthermore, you should also learn the importance of Azure certi cation for strengthening the foundation of
your career in Azure. To help you become a certi ed Azure professional, we offer AZ-103 online course and
practice tests. For those who’re preparing for the AZ-104 exam, we’ve also brought AZ-104 online course. So, get
started right away with your Azure administrator certi cation preparation and get ahead towards a promising
career!

 About the Author  More from Author

About Neeru Jain

Technology Scientist by Mind and Passionate Writer by Heart!! With an enthusiasm for
technological research and learning, Neeru turned out to be a technology expert. Her
Belief: “Words are powerful enough to change Mind, Life, and the World; only the writer
should have a real passion for Writing!!”

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