AZ-305 : Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solution Guide

Introduction

Candidates for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification should have subject matter expertise in designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including compute,  network, storage, monitoring, and security. Since the exams AZ-303 & AZ-304 set to retire on 31^st March 2022, We are not going to cover those exams in this blog

Responsibilities of an Azure Solution Architect

Responsibilities for this role include advising stakeholders and translating business requirements into designs for secure, scalable, and reliable Azure solutions. An Azure Solutions Architect partners with developers, administrators, and other roles responsible for implementing solutions on Azure.

A candidate for this certification should have advanced experience and knowledge of IT operations, including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance. A professional in this role should manage how decisions in each area affect an overall solution. In addition, they should have experience in Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes

Prerequisite

Before 31^st March 2022

From April 1^st, 2022

We have covered the certification guide for Azure Administrator Associate in earlier blogs

Exam Details: AZ-305

Exam Name                      Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solution

Exam Code                       AZ-305

Exam Duration                 120-150 minutes (Varies)

Exam Format                    Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions

Exam Type                        Online and Proctored Exam

Number of Questions      40-60

Exam Fee                          $165 USD

Exam Language                English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean

Pass Score                        700 (on a scale of 1-1000)

Exam Medium                  Pearson Vue or Certiport

After successfully passing the AZ 104 & AZ-305, the candidate will gain the role of Microsoft Certified: Azure Solution Architect

Topics Covered in the Azure SC-305 Certification

The AZ-305 exam includes four major topics, with each focusing on different concepts in Architecting a solution in Azure . Each domain has a different weightage with a different set of subtopics

Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions (25-30%)

Design a solution for logging and monitoring

• Design a log routing solution
• Recommend an appropriate level of logging
• Recommend monitoring tools for a solution

Design authentication and authorization solutions

• Recommend a solution for securing resources with role-based access control
• Recommend an identity management solution
• Recommend a solution for securing identities

Design governance

• Recommend an organizational and hierarchical structure for Azure resources
• Recommend a solution for enforcing and auditing compliance

Design identities and access for applications

• Recommend solutions to allow applications to access Azure resources
• Recommend a solution that securely stores passwords and secrets
• Recommend a solution for integrating applications into Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
• Recommend a user consent solution for applications

Design Data Storage Solutions (25-30%)

Design a data storage solution for relational data

• Recommend database service tier sizing
• Recommend a solution for database scalability
• Recommend a solution for encrypting data at rest, data in transmission, and data in use

Design data integration

• Recommend a solution for data integration
• Recommend a solution for data analysis

Recommend a data storage solution

• Recommend a solution for storing relational data
• Recommend a solution for storing semi-structured data
• Recommend a solution for storing non-relational data

Design a data storage solution for non-relational data

• Recommend access control solutions to data storage
• Recommend a data storage solution to balance features, performance, and cost
• Design a data solution for protection and durability

Design Business Continuity Solutions (10-15%)

Design a solution for backup and disaster recovery

• Recommend a recovery solution for Azure, hybrid, and on-premises workloads that meets recovery objectives (Recovery Time Objective [RTO], Recovery Level Objective [RLO], Recovery Point Objective [RPO])
• Understand the recovery solutions for containers
• Recommend a backup and recovery solution for compute
• Recommend a backup and recovery solution for databases
• Recommend a backup and recovery solution for unstructured data

Design for high availability

• Identify the availability requirements of Azure resources
• Recommend a high availability solution for compute
• Recommend a high availability solution for non-relational data storage
• Recommend a high availability solution for relational data storage

Design Infrastructure Solutions (25-30%)

Design a compute solution

• Recommend a virtual machine-based compute solution
• Recommend an appropriately sized compute solution based on workload requirements
• Recommend a container-based compute solution
• Recommend a serverless-based compute solution
• Design an application architecture
• Recommend a caching solution for applications
• Recommend a messaging architecture
• Recommend an event-driven architecture
• Recommend an automated deployment solution for your applications
• Recommend an application configuration management solution
• Recommend a solution for api integration

Design migrations

• Evaluate a migration solution that leverages the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure
• Assess and interpret on-premises servers, data, and applications for migration
• Recommend a solution for migrating applications and virtual machines
• Recommend a solution for migrating databases
• Recommend a solution for migrating unstructured data

Design network solutions

• Recommend a network architecture solution based on workload requirements
• Recommend a connectivity solution that connects azure resources to the internet
• Recommend a connectivity solution that connects azure resources to on-premises networks
• Optimize network performance for applications
• Recommend a solution to optimize network security
• Recommend a load balancing and routing solution

Candidates could not just start reading every book. They get to cover all topics in the AZ-305 exam skills outline. You can get started with your preparations for the AZ-305 exam without any difficulties by following the tips mentioned below:

Familiarize with the Exam

Candidates should understand all the topics covered in the exam skills outline for the AZ-305 exam. As a result, they could identify suitable learning materials for each topic. This can save them a lot of effort in finding out the relevant resources for supporting their preparations.

Use Microsoft Learning

With a clear idea of all the details about the exam, you can look for moving to the next stage of the AZ-305 preparation guide. You need credible learning resources for building a clear foundation for success in qualifying for the exam. Microsoft Learning gives official resources that can help in preparing for AZ-305 with reflection on different aspects of Architecting a solution for Azure cloud.

The official recommended learning paths for the AZ-305 exam on the official certification page give a prolific advantage to all learners. The learning paths are divided into different parts for helping you in flexible learning.

Learning paths recommended for the AZ-305 exam can improve your command over the fundamentals of Azure security, Compliance, and identity. With the help of Microsoft learning paths, candidates could discover the perfect start to their AZ-305 preparations.

Go for Official Documentation Only

If you thought Microsoft only has learning paths, you need to think twice. The official Microsoft documentation about and identity gives the ideal tools for navigating the massive body of knowledge pertaining to the concepts.

The official documentation allows candidates to explore the technical content relevant to their AZ-305 study guide. The official Microsoft documentation also allows the flexibility of selecting resources according to roles, topics, products, job roles, and experience level.

Training Courses are Helpful

Candidates preparing for Microsoft Azure AZ-305 certification could also get the benefit of competitive advantage in their preparations through training courses. There are various professional certification training providers with a wide array of online courses. It is also essential to look for interactive exercises and engaging demo videos with the training courses to ensure a better quality of learning. Most important of all, choose a training course which allows you some room to breathe. It can be difficult to concentrate on your preparation when you must complete the course within a specific time.

Video Training Course : Udemy, cloudguru

Practice Tests Can Test You – Important!

It is true that practice is the key factor of success in professional certification exams. So, you need to make the most of practice tests for the AZ-305 exam for evaluating your preparations. Practice tests feature similar formats to the actual exam and encourage the confidence of candidates. Regular practice with practice tests for the AZ-305 exam can help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam format. They can also showcase how the candidates perform in different domains of the exam. Therefore, practice tests are always necessary to add the finishing touch to your preparations.

Practise Test : WhizLabs