Azure Solutions Architect – Design Training (AZ-301)

Instructor-Led Course Outline

• Part 1: AZ-301T01: Designing for Identity and Security

  Module 1: Managing Security & Identity for Azure Solutions
  This module discusses both security and identity within the context of Azure. For security, this module reviews the various options for monitoring security, the options available for securing data and the options for securing application secrets. For identity, this module focuses specifically on Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and the various features available such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Managed Service Identity, Azure AD Connect, ADFS and Azure AD B2B/B2C.
  
  Module 2: Integrating SaaS Services Available on the Azure Platform
  This module introduces multiple SaaS services available in Azure that are available for integration into existing Azure solutions. These services include Cognitive Services, Bot Service, Machine Learning and Media Services.

• Part 2: AZ-301T02: Designing a Data Platform Solution

  Module 1: Backing Azure Solutions with Azure Storage
  This module describes how many Azure services use the Azure Storage service as a backing store for other application solution in Azure. The module dives into critical considerations when using Azure Storage as a supplemental service for an all-up Azure solution.
  
  After completing this module, students will be able to:

  • Determine the ideal pricing option for Azure Storage based on a solution’s requirements.
  • Identify performance thresholds for the Azure Storage service.
  • Determine the type of Storage blobs to use for specific solution components.
  • Use the Azure Files service for SMB operations.
  • Identify solutions that could benefit from the use of StorSimple physical or virtual devices.

  
  Module 2: Comparing Database Options in Azure
  This module compares the various relational and non-relational data storage options available in Azure. Options are explored as groups such as relational databases (Azure SQL Database, MySQL, and PostgreSQL on Azure), non-relational (Azure Cosmos DB, Storage Tables), streaming (Stream Analytics) and storage (Data Factory, Data Warehouse, Data Lake).
  
  Module 3: Monitoring & Automating Azure Solutions
  This module covers the monitoring and automation solutions available after an Azure solution has been architected, designed and possibly deployed. The module reviews services that are used to monitor individual applications, the Azure platform, and networked components. This module also covers automation and backup options to enable business-continuity scenarios for solutions hosted in Azure.

• Part 3: AZ-301T03: Designing for Deployment, Migration, and Integration

  Module 1: Deploying Resources with Azure Resource Manager
  This module establishes a basic understanding of Azure Resource Manager and the core concepts of deployments, resources, templates, resource groups, and tags. The module will dive deeply into the automated deployment of resources using ARM templates.
  
  Module 2: Creating Managed Server Applications in Azure
  This module describes how solutions can leverage serverless application hosting services in Azure to host web applications, REST APIs, integration workflows and HPC workloads without the requirement to manage specific server resources. The module focuses on App Services-related components such as Web Apps, API Apps, Mobile Apps, Logic Apps, and Functions.
  
  Module 3: Authoring Serverless Applications in Azure
  This module describes how solutions can leverage serverless application hosting services in Azure to host web applications, REST APIs, integration workflows and HPC workloads without the requirement to manage specific server resources. The module focuses on App Services-related components such as Web Apps, API Apps, Mobile Apps, Logic Apps, and Functions.

• Part 4: AZ-301T04: Designing an Infrastructure Strategy

  Module 1: Application Architecture Patterns in Azure
  This module introduces, and reviews common Azure patterns and architectures as prescribed by the Microsoft Patterns & Practices team. Each pattern is grouped into performance, resiliency, and scalability categories and described in the context of similar patterns within the category.
  
  After completing this module, students will be able to:

  • Locate and reference the Cloud Design Patterns documentation.
  • Locate and reference the Azure Architecture Center.
  • Describe various patterns pulled from the Cloud Design Patterns.

  
  Module 2: Building Azure IaaS-Based Server Applications (ADSK)
  This module identifies workloads that are ideally deployed using Infrastructure-as-a-Service services in Azure. The module focuses on the VM Scale Sets and Virtual Machine services in Azure and how to best deploy workloads to these services using best practices and features such as Availability Sets.
  
  Module 3: Networking Azure Application Components
  This module describes the various networking and connectivity options available for solutions deployed on Azure. The module explores connectivity options ranging from ad-hoc connections to long-term hybrid connectivity scenarios. The module also discusses some of the performance and security concerns related to balancing workloads across multiple compute instances, connecting on-premise infrastructure to the cloud and creating gateways for on-premise data.
  
  Module 4: Integrating Azure Solution Components Using Messaging Services
  This module describes and compares the integration and messaging services available for solutions hosted on the Azure platform. Messaging services described include Azure Storage Queues, Service Bus Queues, Service Bus Relay, IoT Hubs, Event Hubs, and Notification Hubs. Integration services include Azure Functions and Logic Apps.