My learning path to becoming a Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700)!

[TomWechsler]

Dear Microsoft Azure Friends,

One thing was absolutely clear to me, I absolutely have to do the Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate certification. I've worked with Azure Networking so much, it's going to be easy!

As usual, WRONG Tom! When I read the skills measured, I knew now you really have to work hard, otherwise it will not end well! Thus in my mind back to the field one ;-).

The topic of Azure Networking is so extensive that it should not be underestimated. There are so many different "components" that can be configured in Azure. For example:

- Virtual networks
- Connect on-premises to Azure - VPN encryption
- Connect on-premises to Azure - private connection
- Unified hub and spoke networking
- DNS
- Route between NVA and virtual network
- Provide outbound connectivity to a virtual network
- Network load balancer
- Web application load balancer
- And so on and so forth!

I don't know about you, but for me it was clear that this will be a hard piece of work!

Now to my preparations for the exam:

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/azure-network-engineer-associate/

Please take a close look at the skills assessed:

https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RE4OV0k

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/

3. Now it goes to the Microsoft Learning paths content.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/introduction-to-azure-virtual-networks/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/design-implement-hybrid-networking/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/design-implement-azure-expressroute/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/load-balancing-non-https-traffic-azure/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/load-balancing-https-traffic-azure/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/design-implement-network-security-monitoring/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/design-implement-private-access-to-azure-services/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/design-implement-network-monitoring/

4. Register for the exam early. This creates some pressure and you stay motivated.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-network-engineer-associate/

5. Please also have a look at @thomasmaurer website this is also very helpful!

https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2021/06/az-700-study-guide-microsoft-azure-networking-solutions/

6. I have compiled a list of links and scripts which were very helpful for me!

https://github.com/tomwechsler/Azure_Network_Engineer_Associate

7. A really great resource with video courses is Virtual Training Series from Microsoft!

https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/training/virtual-training-series#/

8. I started (in german) with a YouTube playlist (it's still early days) to become a Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi0MTIjZai_yrUtTPG1al88vH0yOr98C8

9. Another great source of information is the Youtube channel of John Savill! Really great!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpIn7ox7j7bH_OFj7tYouOQ

10. More helpful information directly from Microsoft!

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/networking/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-network/virtual-networks-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/vpn-gateway/vpn-gateway-about-vpngateways

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/expressroute-introduction

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-wan/virtual-wan-about

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/dns/dns-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/route-server/overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-network/nat-gateway/nat-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/load-balancer/load-balancer-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/application-gateway/overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/traffic-manager/traffic-manager-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/frontdoor/standard-premium/overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cdn/cdn-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/firewall/overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/ddos-protection/manage-ddos-protection

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/web-application-firewall/overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/private-link/private-link-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/bastion-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/frontdoor/standard-premium/overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/firewall-manager/overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/network-watcher/network-watcher-monitoring-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/network-watcher/network-watcher-monitoring-overview

What I really strongly recommend is that you do as many deployments and configurations in Azure as possible. The more you work with practical examples, the greater your chances of success. Also, don't forget to work with PowerShell, Azure CLI and Azure ARM templates. I had some questions to answer regarding PowerShell and ARM templates.

I know you've probably read and heard this many times: read the exam questions slowly and accurately. Well, that was the key to success for me. It's the details that make the difference between success and failure.

I would like to give you a small example. An endpoint has the IP address 195.186.53.76 and for a storage account the firewall range was configured at "Firewalls and virtual networks". The range 195.186.53.0/26 has access to the storage account, what is the situation with the endpoint. Take a really good look at the details.

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!

Kind regards, Tom Wechsler

P.S. All scripts (#PowerShell, Azure CLI, #Terraform, #ARM) that I use can be found on github! https://github.com/tomwechsler