Course Content:
Module 1: Cloud Computing Fundamentals
Understanding Cloud Computing
- Defining cloud computing and the shared responsibility model
- Public, private, and hybrid cloud models — and when to use each
- Consumption-based pricing and cost comparison across models
- An introduction to serverless computing
Benefits of Cloud Services
- High availability and scalability
- Reliability and predictability
- Security and governance
- Manageability
Cloud Service Types
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Choosing the right service type for the job
Module 2: Core Architectural Components of Azure
Azure Architecture
- Regions, region pairs, sovereign regions, and availability zones
- Azure datacentres
- Resources, resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups
- Understanding the resource hierarchy
Compute & Networking
- Comparing containers, virtual machines, and functions
- VM options: Azure Virtual Machines, Scale Sets, availability sets, Azure Virtual Desktop
- Application hosting: web apps, containers, and VMs
- Virtual networking essentials: VNets, subnets, peering, Azure DNS, VPN Gateway, and ExpressRoute
- Public vs. private endpoints
Storage Services
- Comparing Azure Storage services, tiers, and redundancy options
- Storage account types
- File movement tools: AzCopy, Storage Explorer, Azure File Sync
- Migration options: Azure Migrate and Azure Data Box
Identity, Access & Security
- Directory services: Microsoft Entra ID and Entra Domain Services
- Authentication methods: SSO, MFA, and passwordless
- External identities and Conditional Access
- Azure role-based access control (RBAC)
- Zero Trust principles and defense-in-depth
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Module 3: Cost Management, Governance & Monitoring
Cost Management
- Factors affecting Azure costs
- Using the Azure pricing calculator
- Cost management tools and the role of tagging
Governance & Compliance
- Microsoft Purview
- Azure Policy
- Resource locks
Managing & Deploying Resources
- Navigating the Azure portal
- Azure Cloud Shell: CLI and PowerShell
- Azure Arc
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
- Azure Resource Manager (ARM) and ARM templates
Monitoring Tools
- Azure Advisor and Azure Service Health
- Azure Monitor: Log Analytics, alerts, and Application Insights
