What Is Microsoft Azure Administrator (complete Guide)

So, you've heard about the amazing opportunities of becoming a Microsoft Azure Administrator. You're not alone. Everyone's talking about it! But what exactly is an Azure Administrator? And what does it take to become one?

In a nutshell, an Azure Administrator is a cloud computing ninja. They are the ones who keep our businesses running smoothly in the cloud. They are the ones who make sure our data is safe, our applications are up and running and our costs are under control.

But what skills do you need to be an Azure Administrator? Do you need to be a coding wizard? Do you need to be able to lift heavy servers? Hopefully not! Let’s clarify all your doubts one by one.

Who is a Microsoft Azure Administrator?

A Microsoft Azure Administrator is a trained professional responsible for managing and maintaining cloud based infrastructure and services within the Microsoft Azure platform. Azure is a prominent cloud computing platform provided by Microsoft, offering a wide range of services such as virtual machines, databases, storage, networking, and more to help businesses build, deploy, and manage applications and services in the cloud.

Some Azure Administrator roles do require coding skills, but not all. And you don't need to be able to lift heavy servers. However, you do need to have a strong understanding of cloud computing concepts and experience with virtualization, networking, and security.

You also need to have a good sense of humor. Because sometimes things in the cloud can get a little cloudy. 

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Azure administrator?

Think of a Microsoft Azure Administrator as your friendly neighborhood cloud whisperer. So, you must know that with great power comes great responsibility. Let's look at the roles and responsibilities of an Azure administrator.

Resource Management: Azure Administrators are responsible for creating, configuring, and managing various Azure resources, including virtual machines, databases, storage accounts, and more. They ensure these resources are provisioned and maintained efficiently to support the organization's operations.

Security Management: Security is a top priority in the cloud. Azure Administrators implement and manage security measures, including access controls, identity management, and encryption, to protect Azure resources from threats and vulnerabilities.

Monitoring and Performance Optimization: They continuously monitor the performance of Azure services and applications, using diagnostic tools to identify and address performance bottlenecks. This ensures that applications run smoothly and meet performance expectations.

Cost Management: Administrators track resource usage, analyze cost reports, and implement strategies to optimize Azure spending. They may scale resources up or down based on demand to control costs effectively.

Backup and Disaster Recovery: Data protection is paramount. Azure Administrators establish backup and disaster recovery plans to secure critical data and ensure business continuity in the event of hardware failures or other disasters.

Policy and Governance: They define and enforce governance policies to maintain compliance with organizational standards and industry regulations. These policies govern resource creation, access controls, and data retention, among other aspects.

The role of a Microsoft Azure Administrator revolves around the management, maintenance, and optimization of Azure cloud resources. Acting as the linchpin between the technological infrastructure and business objectives, Azure Administrators play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless cloud operations.

What skills are needed for Azure Administrator?

Do you want to be an Azure Administrator? Well, you'll need to have a few skills up your sleeve. 

       1. You need to have a good understanding of cloud computing, Azure services, and PowerShell. 

       2. You should also be familiar with networking concepts like virtual networks, subnets, and security groups. That means knowing the difference between a firewall and a proxy server.

       3. Familiarity with identity and access management using Azure Active Directory is a must. That means knowing how to grant and revoke access to resources.

       4. Basic scripting skills (e.g., PowerShell or Azure CLI) for automation tasks are a plus. That means being able to write scripts that can do your bidding, like creating a new virtual machine or deploying a new application.

       5. Azure Administrators must be able to troubleshoot technical issues quickly and effectively to minimize downtime. That means thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions to problems.

       6. Any Azure Administrator must be able to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences. That means being able to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical people.

So, if you have what it takes to be an Azure Administrator, go for it! The cloud is a vast and magical place, and there's no better way to explore it than by becoming an Azure Administrator.

What is the salary of an Azure administrator?

If you're considering to become an Azure Administrator, go for it! The sky's the limit (or at least the cloud).

Here are some average salaries for Azure Administrators in different countries:

1. United States: $112,500
2. India: ?6,00,000
3. United Kingdom: £50,000
4. Australia: A$100,000
5. Canada: C$90,000

Of course, these are just averages. Your actual salary depends on your experience, skills, and location. But one thing is certain: As cloud adoption continues to surge, the demand for skilled Azure professionals remains high.

So get Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification, experience, and earn the salary you deserve! 

Is Azure administrator a good job?

Here are some of the reasons why Azure Administrator is a good job:

1. High demand: The demand for skilled Azure professionals is high and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
2. Competitive salaries: Azure Administrators can earn competitive salaries, with the average salary in the United States being over $100,000.
3. Challenging and rewarding: Azure Administrators have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and help businesses solve complex problems.
4. Flexible work arrangements: Many Azure Administrator positions have flexible work options, such as remote or part-time work.
5. Career growth opportunities: The field of Azure administration offers a lot of room for professional development. Azure Administrators can advance their careers by becoming certified, taking on more responsibility, or moving into management positions.

Does Azure admin require coding?

Azure administrators are the wizards of the cloud, but they don't need to be able to code like Gandalf. A basic understanding of scripting languages can be helpful, but it's not essential. Most of the work that Azure administrators do can be done through the Azure portal and other tools.

Here are some of the reasons why coding skills are not mandatory for Azure Administrators:

1. Azure provides a lot of tools and automation capabilities that make it easy to manage resources without coding.
2. Azure Administrators typically focus on configuring and managing resources, not developing applications.
3. Coding skills can help automate tasks and troubleshoot problems, but they are not essential.

However, there are some situations where coding skills can be helpful for Azure Administrators, such as:

1. Developing custom scripts or applications for Azure
2. Automating complex tasks
3. Troubleshooting problems

If you want to become an Azure Administrator, learning some basic scripting languages, such as PowerShell or Python, is a good idea. However, you don't need to be a master coder to be successful in this role.

Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification

 The Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator (AZ-103 and AZ-104) certifications are the gold standard for cloud computing professionals. They demonstrate you have the skills and knowledge to manage and administer Azure resources, including virtual machines, storage, and networking.

The AZ-103 certification is the older version of the certification, and it will be retired on August 31, 2023. The AZ-104 certification is the newer version of the certificate, and it is the one you should get if you plan to become certified.

The AZ-104 certification covers the following topics:

1. Manage Azure identities and governance
2. Implement and manage storage
3. Deploy and manage Azure compute resources
4. Implement and manage virtual networking
5. Monitor and maintain Azure resources

The AZ-104 exam is challenging, but it is not impossible to pass. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can become a Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator.

Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Cost

The Microsoft Azure Administrator certification costs depend on the exam you take and the testing center you choose. The AZ-103 and AZ-104 exam costs $165. The exam cost will be the same regardless of where you take it.

Here are some other costs to consider when getting certified as a Microsoft Azure Administrator:

1. Study materials: There are many study materials available for the Microsoft Azure Administrator certification, including books, online courses, and practice exams. Depending on the publisher and format, these materials will cost differently.
2. Training: Many training courses are available for the Microsoft Azure Administrator certification. Depending on the length and supplier, these courses can range in price.
3. Practice exams: The Microsoft Azure Administrator certification has many practice tests accessible. The cost of these exams will vary depending on the provider.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a career that is both challenging and rewarding, then becoming a Microsoft Azure Administrator is a great choice. But more importantly, if you're looking for a job that allows you to use your skills and talents to make a difference in the world, then becoming a Microsoft Azure Administrator is the perfect choice for you. Contact us for more certification courses.