AZ-800 Study Guide: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure
Published Sep 16 2021 10:01 AM 73.9K Views
Microsoft

AZ-800 Study Guide: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure

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In this exam guide you’ll see which MS Learn modules map against exam functional groups and which docs.microsoft.com articles map against specific exam objective items for the AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure exam. This exam is required for the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification.

 

The official objectives page is found here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/az-800

The collection of all MS Learn modules that cover these exam objectives sorted into functional groups is here: AZ-800: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure 

Microsoft Press Exam Reference: Exam Ref Az-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure

Interactive Lab Simulations: AZ-800 Interactive Labs

AZ-800 ILT GitHub Repository: https://github.com/MicrosoftLearning/AZ-800-Administering-Windows-Server-Hybrid-Core-Infrastructure 

Pluralsight series on AZ-800: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure

MeasureUp practice test for AZ-800: https://www.measureup.com/microsoft-practice-test-az-800-administering-windows-server-hybrid-core-in...

1. Deploy and Manage AD DS in On-premises and Cloud Environments (30-35%)

Exam Readiness Zone Prep Video: AZ-800 OD1 Overview

 

1.1 Deploy and manage AD DS domain controllers         

·       Deploy and manage domain controllers on-premises     

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/install-active-directory-domain-serv...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/install-a-new-windows-server-2012-ac...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/what-s-new-in-active-directory-domai...

·       Deploy and manage domain controllers in Azure

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/reference-architectures/identity/adds-extend-domain

·       Deploy RODCs  

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/rodc/install-a-windows-server-2012-a...

·       Troubleshoot FSMO roles           

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/windows-server/identity/fsmo-roles

 

1.2 Configure and manage multi-site, multi-domain, and multi-forest environments  

·       Configure and manage forest and domain trusts

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/tutorial-create-forest-trust

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc771568...

·       Configure and manage AD DS sites         

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/understanding-active-directory-site-to...

·       Configure and manage AD DS replication

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/get-started/replication/active-directory-re...

 

1.3 Create and manage AD DS security principals           

·       Create and manage AD DS users and groups       

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc754661...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc771069...

·       Manage users and groups in multi-domain and multi-forest scenarios

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc733001...

·       Implement group managed service accounts (gMSAs)

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/security/group-managed-service-accounts/group-managed-serv...

·       Join Windows Servers to AD DS, Azure AD DS, and Azure AD

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-fs/deployment/join-a-computer-to-a-domain

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/join-windows-vm

 

1.4 Implement and Manage Hybrid Identities   

·       Implement Azure AD Connect   

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/hybrid/whatis-azure-ad-connect-v2

·       Manage Azure AD Connect Synchronization

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/hybrid/concept-azure-ad-connect-sync-architecture

·       Implement Azure AD Connect cloud sync            

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/cloud-sync/what-is-cloud-sync

·       Integrate Azure AD, AD DS and Azure AD Domain Services

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/reference-architectures/identity/azure-ad

·       Manage Azure AD Domain Services        

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/tutorial-create-instance

·       Manage Azure AD Connect Health          

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/hybrid/whatis-azure-ad-connect

·       Manage authentication in on-premises and hybrid environments

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/hybrid/choose-ad-authn

·       Configure and manage AD DS passwords            

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/password-policy

 

1.5 Manage Windows Server by using domain-based Group Policies      

·       Implement Group Policy in AD DS           

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/hh831791...

·       Implement Group Policy Preferences in AD DS   

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/desktop/policy/group-policy-preferences

·       Implement Group Policy in Azure AD DS

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/manage-group-policy

 

2. Manage Windows Servers and Workloads in a Hybrid Environment (10-15%)   

Exam Readiness Zone Prep Video: AZ-800 OD2 Overview

  

2.1 Manage Windows Servers in a Hybrid environment

·       Deploy a WAC Gateway Server  

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/manage/windows-admin-center/azure/deploy-wac-in-azure

·       Configure a target machine for WAC      

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/manage/windows-admin-center/azure/manage-vm

·       Configure PowerShell Remoting

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/learn/remoting/running-remote-commands?view=powershe...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/learn/remoting/powershell-remoting-faq?view=powershe...

·       Configure CredSSP or Kerberos Delegation for 2nd Hop Remoting

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/learn/remoting/ps-remoting-second-hop?view=powershel...

·       Configure JEA for PowerShell Remoting

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/learn/remoting/jea/overview?view=powershell-7.1

 

2.2 Manage Windows Servers and workloads by using Azure services   

·       Manage Windows Servers by using Azure Arc

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/azure-arc/servers/onboard-windows-admin-center

·       Assign Azure Policy Guest Configuration

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/azure-arc/servers/learn/tutorial-assign-policy-portal

·       Deploy Azure services using Azure VM extensions on non-Azure machines

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/azure-arc/servers/learn/tutorial-enable-vm-insights

·       Manage Updates for Windows machines

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/automation/update-management/overview

·       Integrate Windows Servers with Log Analytics    

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/azure-monitor/agents/log-analytics-agent#network-requirements

·       Integrate Windows Servers with Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Azure Security Center)

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/hybrid/hybrid-security-monitoring

·       Manage IaaS VMs in Azure that run Windows Server

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/maintenance-and-updates

·       Implement Azure Automation for hybrid workloads

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/hybrid/azure-automation-hybrid

·       Create runbooks to automate tasks on target VMs

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/automation/automation-runbook-execution

·       Implement Implement Azure Automation State Configuration (DSC) to prevent configuration drift in IaaS machines

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/dsc-overview

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/dsc-windows

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/features-windows

3. Manage Virtual Machines and Containers (15-20%)

Exam Readiness Zone Prep Video: AZ-800 OD3 Overview

3.1 Manage Hyper-V and guest virtual machines            

·       Enable VM Enhanced Session Mode       

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/learn-more/use-local-resources-on-h...

·       Manage VM using PowerShell Remoting, PowerShell Direct and HVC.exe

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/manage-windows-virtual-machi...

o   https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/manage-hyper-v-vms-using-powershell-direct/bc...

·       Configure nested virtualization 

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/virtualization/hyper-v-on-windows/user-guide/nested-virtualization

·       Configure VM Memory 

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/hh831766...

·       Configure Integration Services   

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/manage-hyper-v-integration-s...

·       Configure Discrete Device Assignment   

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/deploy/deploying-graphics-devices-u...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/plan-for-deploying-devices-usi...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/deploy/deploying-storage-devices-us...

·       Configure VM Resource Groups

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/manage-hyper-v-minroot-2016

·       Configure VM CPU Groups         

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/manage-hyper-v-cpugroups

·       Configure hypervisor scheduling types   

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/manage-hyper-v-scheduler-typ...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/about-hyper-v-scheduler-type...

·       Manage VM Checkpoints            

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/choose-between-standard-or-p...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/enable-or-disable-checkpoint...

·       Implementing high availability for virtual machines

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/set-up-hyper-v-replica

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/dn743844...

·       Manage VHD and VHDX files      

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/hh831446...

·       Configure Hyper V Network Adapter

·            https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/concepts/host-network-requirements

·       Configure NIC Teaming 

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure-stack/hci/concepts/host-network-requirements

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/networking/technologies/nic-teaming/nic-teaming

·       Configure Hyper-V Switch           

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v-virtual-switch/hyper-v-virtual-swit...

 

3.2 Create and manage containers        

·       Create Windows Server Container Images

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/virtualization/windowscontainers/manage-containers/container-base-images

·       Manage Windows Server Container Images

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/virtualization/windowscontainers/deploy-containers/update-containers

·       Configure Container Networking

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/virtualization/windowscontainers/container-networking/architecture

·       Manage container instances

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/virtualization/windowscontainers/wac-tooling/wac-containers

 

3.3 Manage Azure Virtual Machines that run Windows Server  

·       Manage Data Disks

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/attach-managed-disk-portal

·       Resize Azure VM

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/resize-vm

·       Configure Continuous delivery for an Azure VM

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/solution-ideas/articles/cicd-for-azure-vms

·       Configure connections to VMs

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/connect-logon

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/winrm

·       Manage Azure VM network configuration

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-network/network-overview

4. Implement and Manage an On-premises and Hybrid Networking Infrastructure (15-20%)

Exam Readiness Zone Prep Video: AZ-800 OD4 Overview

4.1 Implement on-premises and hybrid name resolution            

·       Integrate DNS with AD DS

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/active-directory-integrated-dns-zones

·       Create and Manage zones and records

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc816891...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc816819...

·       Configure DNS forwarding/conditional forwarding

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc816830...

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc794735...

·       Integrate Windows Server DNS with Azure DNS private zones

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/dns/private-dns-scenarios

·       Implement DNSSEC

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/jj200221...

 

4.2 Manage IP addressing in on-premises and hybrid scenarios 

·       Implement and manage IPAM   

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/networking/technologies/ipam/ipam-top

·       Implement and configure the DHCP server role (on-premises only)

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd183630...

·       Resolve IP address issues in hybrid environments

o   https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/topic/fix-duplicate-ip-address-conflicts-on-a-dhcp-network-d6849...

·       Create and manage scopes        

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd183624...

·       Create and manage IP reservations        

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd183698...

·       Implement DHCP High Availability          

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/dn338978...

 

4.3 Implement on-premises and hybrid network connectivity    

·       Implement and manage the Remote Access role

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/dn636119...

·       Implement and manage Azure Network Adapter

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/hybrid/azure-network-adapter

·       Implement and manage Azure Extended Network

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/manage/windows-admin-center/azure/azure-extended-network

·       Implement and manage Network Policy Server role

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/hh831683...

·       Implement Web Application Proxy

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/dn584107...

·       Implement Azure Relay

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/azure-relay/relay-what-is-it

·       Implement Site to Site VPN

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/vpn-gateway/point-to-site-about

·       Implement Azure Virtual WAN

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

·       Implement Azure AD Application Proxy

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/app-proxy/what-is-application-proxy

5. Manage Storage and File Services (15-20%)

Exam Readiness Zone Prep Video: AZ-800 OD5 Overview

5.1 Configure and manage Azure File Sync         

·       Create Azure File Sync Service   

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/file-sync/file-sync-deployment-guide

·       Create Sync Groups       

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/file-sync/file-sync-modify-sync-topology

·       Create Cloud Endpoints

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/files/storage-how-to-create-file-share

·       Register servers

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/file-sync/file-sync-server-registration

·       Create Server Endpoints             

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/file-sync/file-sync-server-endpoint-create

·       Configure Cloud Tiering

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/file-sync/file-sync-how-to-manage-tiered-files

·       Monitor File Sync           

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/file-sync/file-sync-monitoring

·       Migrate DFS to Azure File Sync  

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/storage/files/files-manage-namespaces

 

5.2 Configure and Manage Windows Server File Shares

·       Configure Windows Server file share access        

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2003/cc784499(v=ws.10)

·       Configuring File Screens

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/fsrm/file-screening-management

·       Configure FSRM quotas

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/fsrm/quota-management

·       Configure BranchCache

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/networking/branchcache/branchcache

·       Implement and configure Distributed File System (DFS)

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/dfs-namespaces/dfs-overview

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/dfs-replication/dfsr-overview

 

5.3 Configure Windows Server Storage 

·       Configure disks and volumes

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/disk-management/manage-disks

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/disk-management/manage-basic-volumes

·       Configure and manage Storage Spaces

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/overview

·       Configure  and manage Storage Replica 

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/storage-replica/storage-replica-overview

·       Configure Data Deduplication

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/data-deduplication/overview

·       Configure SMB direct

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/file-server/smb-direct

·       Configure Storage QoS  

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/storage-qos/storage-qos-overview

·       Configure File systems

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/refs/refs-overview

o   https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/file-server/ntfs-overview

 

The following video provides an introductory overview of these objectives by Orin Thomas and Jeff Woolsey: 

 

18 Comments

Awesome Guide @OrinThomas for the Community, Thank you !

Copper Contributor

Thanks @OrinThomas for the detailed guide. This was one of the great step MS has taken to satisfy demand of many IT professionals having experience in Hybrid environment.

 

Bravo!

Iron Contributor

When they become available, good luck on your exams and make sure you post your new badges on LinkedIn! ;)

Copper Contributor

Thanks for the detailed guide @OrinThomas. I'm really pleased MS has released these exams. For someone who has the MCSE and AZ-104, this will be a brilliant refresher by combining the two, but also help future IT professionals learn server technologies who missed out on the MCSA series.

Steel Contributor

Thanks to @OrinThomas for this brilliant exam preparation, the collection of content is well organized and focused on exam objectives. Thank you!

Copper Contributor

@OrinThomas Thanks for this awesome preparation. 

Copper Contributor

Thanks @OrinThomas for the overview, looks like a lot to learn before sit for the exam :smile:

Copper Contributor

Pretty exam for refreshing Servers-line knowledge/skills! Got today. Thanks!

Copper Contributor

good job! Thanks

Iron Contributor

The AZ-800 and AZ-801 exams are now RTM and this certification can be earned. If you took the betas, your results should be posted within 10 or so days.

Copper Contributor

Is there a book available of Microsoftpress exam Ref AZ-800 and AZ-801?

Microsoft
Copper Contributor

Are there trainings exams available?

Microsoft

Some updates to product names (Microsoft Defender for Cloud from ASC and Azure Automation State Configuration) - also added MS Press book and Pluralsight Course. Looked on MeasureUp website and couldn't see anything. If someone sees any reputable practice test providers, I'll add them to the guide.

Copper Contributor

Hi Orin.

 

Do you know when release is of the books?

 

Is there a book available of Microsoftpress exam Ref AZ-800 and AZ-801?

 

Kr Vincent

Copper Contributor

Hi sorry but I have question regarding AZ-800 as I have recently completed AZ-900 and I am looking for a path regarding Microsoft certification.

 

I see everyone talking about content of course but I am more concerned about the timeframe and how to acomplish this and still have a life outside work and studying.

Since you have to finish two exams in one year to make it even valid and then I can't find what is the expiration time.

Is this Certificate valid only for 1 year?

 

Because it look like they overlap as person needs to rush from exam to another exam and have only 6 month to do it and no pause for rest.

And they look to be quite massive in scope.

Then if second exam takes as well 6 months, then you have no time to prepare to renew first exam.

As for AZ-900 it has take me 2 and half months to get ready to take exam.

 

Or did I understand renewal process wrong?

Microsoft

You have - renewal is a relatively painless and quick process. You are given a list of modules to review on learn.microsoft.com and then a short test (you can take the test right away if you want). The test is also "open book" unlike an exam so you can try to research your own answer if you have enough time. Pass the test and you are renewed for the next 12 months. Fail the test and you can take it again the next day and the next and the next until the renewal date (which is why you don't leave it to the last minute). If you go through the list of modules you'll discover that what you are tested on is covered somewhere in the modules. 

 

When renewing and you're going through the test and you hit something you don't know - make a note of what is being asked.  If you don't pass the test then you can go follow up on that topic and then come back the next day knowing more than you did and having a better chance of passing.

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