My learning path to the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate!

MVP

 

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-windo...

 

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!

https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2022/03/az-801-exam-study-guide-configuring-windows-server-hybrid-advanc...


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/de-de/mem/configmgr/protect/deploy-use/use-device-guard-with-configuratio...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/protect/deploy-use/defender-advanced-threat-protectio...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/credential-guard/credential-gu...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen/m...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-security-configuration-f...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/best-pra...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/authentication/tutorial-configure-custom-pas...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/appendix...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/securing...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/how-to-configure-protected-acc...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/best-pra...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/appendix...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/appendix...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/what-is

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sentinel/data-connectors-reference?tabs=LAA#windows-security-...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-servers-introduction

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/best-practices-...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/restrict-server...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/create-an-authe...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/encryption-models

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-overvie...

 

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/storage/storage-replica/stretch-cluster-replication-...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-replica/cluster-to-cluster-azure-cro...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/clustering-requirements

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-replica/cluster-to-cluster-azure-cro...

 

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/troubleshoot/windows-server/high-availability/cluster-information-i...

 

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/virtual-machines/backup-and-disaster-recovery-for-azure-iaas-...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-restore-vms

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/site-recovery-manage-network-interfaces-on-prem...

 

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/iis/publish/using-web-deploy/migrate-a-web-site-from-iis-60-to-iis-...

 

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

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/identity/reset-directory-services-resto...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/hybrid/tshoot-connect-pass-through-authentic...

 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/troubleshooting-domain-control...

 

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/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/customize-controlled-folde...

 

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/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen/m...

 

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

 

2 Replies
Great recap and congrats on attaining the cert!