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My learning path to the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate!
Dear Microsoft Azure Friends,
When I read from Microsoft Learn that there was again a Windows Server exam along with Microsoft Azure, I was excited. The new certification is called: Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate! This certification consists of two exams: AZ-800 and AZ-801. If you successfully pass both exams you will receive the certification. This article is all about the AZ-801 exam.
I have described my learning path to the AZ-800 in this article!
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/azure/my-preparations-for-the-exam-az-800-administering-windows-server/m-p/3262042
After I had passed the AZ-800, I quickly asked myself, will the AZ-801 be even more difficult? For me, it is always best to read the skills measured first. This gives me a first impression of the exam.
Now let me show you how my preparation for the exam was:
1. First of all, I looked at the Exam Topics to get a first impression of the scope of topics.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/az-801
Please take a close look at the skills assessed:
https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RWKPgH
2. So that I can prepare for an exam I need an Azure test environment (this is indispensable for me). You can sign up for a free trial here.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/
I have also set up a small local test environment with a couple of Windows Server 2022. You can get the operating systems directly from Microsoft:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2022
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-11-enterprise
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-admin-center
3. Now it goes to the Microsoft Learning paths content. Work through the learning paths at your leisure. They are really super helpful to prepare for the exam. At this point, many thanks to Microsoft Learn ( SandraMarin ) for the great learning content:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/secure-windows-server-premises-hybrid-infrastructures/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-windows-server-high-availability/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-disaster-recovery-windows-server-premises/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/migrate-servers-workloads-premises-hybrid-environments/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/monitor-troubleshoot-windows-server-environments/
4. Register for the exam early. This creates some pressure and you stay motivated.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/az-801
5. Please also have a look at thomasmaurer 's website this is also very helpful!
6. I have created a repository on GitHub for the two exams AZ-800 and AZ-801. There are links, scripts and a lot of content in it, please have a look:
https://github.com/tomwechsler/Microsoft_Certified_Windows_Server_Hybrid_Administrator_Associate
7. I started (in german) with a YouTube playlist (it's still early days) to become a Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi0MTIjZai_xLvMSMgOxnk-0QFSxjSEe5
8. More helpful information directly from Microsoft, divided into the functional groups (Skills measured)!
Secure Windows Server On-premises and Hybrid Infrastructures:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/enable-exploit-protection
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/what-is
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-servers-introduction
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/encryption-models
Implement and manage Windows Server high availability:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/disks-shared
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/tutorial-availability-sets
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/create-failover-cluster
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/clustering-requirements
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/clustering-requirements
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/manage-cluster-quorum
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/failover-clustering-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/deploy/cluster-set
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/sofs-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/deploy-cloud-witness
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/cluster-aware-updating
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/concepts/storage-spaces-direct-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/deploy-storage-spaces-direct
Implement disaster recovery:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-windows-with-mars-agent
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-restore-windows-server
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-mabs-whats-new-mabs
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-microsoft-azure-backup
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-instant-restore-capability
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-userestapi-createorupdatepolicy
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-client-automation
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-restore-vms
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/site-recovery-create-recovery-plans
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/azure-to-azure-about-networking
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/azure-to-azure-about-networking
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/set-up-hyper-v-replica
Migrate servers and workloads:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/cutover
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/files/storage-files-migration-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/deploy-appliance-script
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-set-up-appliance-physical
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-migrate
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/windowscontainers/quick-start/building-sample-app
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/upgrade-migrate-roles-features
Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/performance/performance-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/manage/system-insights/overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/manage/windows-admin-center/azure/azure-monitor
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/manage/system-insights/overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/agents/agent-windows
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/agents/agent-windows
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/agents/diagnostics-extension-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/networking-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/boot-error-troubleshoot
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/performance-diagnostics
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/support-agent-extensions
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/disk-encryption-overview
More helpful links:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/bitlocker-on-csv-in-ws-2022
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/managing-and-responding-alerts
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/deploy-vulnerability-assessment-vm
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/technical-faq
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/deploy-cloud-witness
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/sofs-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/recovery-plan-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/migrate-data
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/app-service-hybrid-connections
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/tutorial-discover-physical
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/publish/using-web-deploy/synchronize-iis
I want to emphasize it again in this article, read the questions very carefully. The difference is very often in the details. If it says you have to back up the server and all data to Azure, then that is something different than if it would only say all data. This small difference has a big impact on the subsequent solution!
One final tip: When you have learned something new, try to explain what you have learned to another person (whether or not they know your subject). If you can explain it in your own words, you understand the subject. That is exactly how I do it, except that I do not explain it to another person, but record a video for YouTube!
I hope this information helps you and that you successfully pass the exam. I wish you success!
Best regards, Tom Wechsler
P.S. All scripts (#PowerShell, Azure CLI, #Terraform, #ARM) that I use can be found on github! https://github.com/tomwechsler
- OrinThomas
Microsoft
Great recap and congrats on attaining the cert!- Thank you very much!
