Microsoft MCSA: Cloud Platform

On your accelerated MCSA: Cloud platform certification course, you'll develop an expertise in Microsoft cloud-related technologies. You'll build skills in Azure development and infrastructure, which you'll use to bring the benefits of cloud to your company whilst reducing IT costs.

Your Microsoft Certified Trainer will immerse you in Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC). Through our unique Lecture | Lab | Review technique, you'll get hands-on practical experience and in-depth review sessions to reinforce and accelerate your learning.

During your accelerate course, you'll cover a range of topics including:

• Implement Virtual Networks
• Manage Azure Security and Recovery Services
• Design and Implement Azure App Service Apps
• Create and Manage Azure Resource Manager Virtual Machines
• Design and Implement a Storage and Data Strategy
• Design and Implement Azure Compute, Web, and Mobile Services

Plus, on this accelerated MCSA: Cloud Platform course, you'll sit exams 70-532 and 70-533 at the Firebrand Training Centre. Covered by your Certification Guarantee.

Achieving the MCSA: Cloud Platform will fulfill your prerequisite requirement to attempt the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification.

Passing exams 70-532 and 70-533 previously resulted in achieving multiple Microsoft Specialist Certifications. Microsoft retired the Specialist credential on 31 March, 2017. The exams remain available and where applicable will count towards the relevant existing MCSA, MCSE or MCSD certification.

Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs): You'll be trained by our Microsoft Certified Trainers meaning you'll get to benefit from their wealth of knowledge and experience.

Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC): As Microsoft Learning Partners, we can ensure that you'll have access to the latest curriculums and the most up-to-date content.

Course 20533D: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

Module 1: Introduction to Azure

This module introduces cloud solutions in general and then focuses on the services that Azure offers. The module goes on to describe the portals that you can use to manage Azure subscriptions and services before introducing the Azure PowerShell modules and Azure Command Line Interface (CLI) as scripting technologies for managing Azure. Finally, the module provides explanations and guidance for the use of the classic and Azure Resource Manager deployment models.

Lessons

• Cloud technology overview
• Overview of Azure
• Managing Azure with the Azure portal
• Managing Azure with Windows PowerShell
• Managing Azure with Azure CLI
• Overview of Azure deployment models
• Managing and monitoring Azure resources

Lab : Managing Microsoft Azure

• Using the Azure portals
• Using the Azure Resource Manager features in the Azure portal
• Using Azure PowerShell
• Using Azure CLI

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Identify suitable apps for the cloud.
• Identify the services and capabilities that Azure provides.
• Use Azure portals to manage Azure services and subscriptions.
• Use Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI to manage Azure services and subscriptions.
• Use Azure Resource Manager to manage Azure resources.
• Use Azure management services to manage and monitor Azure resources.

Module 2: Implementing and managing Azure networking

This module explains how to plan virtual networks in Azure and implement and manage virtual networks. It also explains how to configure cross-premises connectivity and connectivity between virtual networks in Azure. Additionally, it explains how to configure an Azure virtual network and provides an overview of Azure classic networking.

Lessons

• Overview of Azure networking
• Implementing and managing virtual networks
• Configuring an Azure virtual network
• Configuring virtual network connectivity
• Overview of Azure classic networking

Lab : Using a deployment template and Azure PowerShell to implement Azure virtual networks

• Creating an Azure virtual network by using a deployment template
• Creating a virtual network by using Azure PowerShell
• Creating a virtual network by using Azure CLI

Lab : Configuring VNet peering

• Using the Azure portal to configure VNet peering
• Configuring VNet peering - based service chaining
• Validating virtual network connectivity

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Plan virtual networks in Azure.
• Implement and manage virtual networks.
• Configure cross-premises connectivity and connectivity between virtual networks in Azure.
• Configure an Azure virtual network.
• Describe Azure classic networking.

Module 3: Implementing virtual machines

This module introduces the fundamentals of Azure VMs, and discusses the different ways in which you can deploy and manage them.

Lessons

• Overview of Azure VMs
• Planning deployment of Azure VMs
• Deploying Azure VMs
• Overview of classic Azure VMs

Lab : Deploying Azure VMs

• Creating Azure VMs by using the Azure portal, Azure PowerShell, and Azure CLI
• Validating Azure VM deployment

Lab : Deploying Azure VMs by using Azure Resource Manager templates

• Using Visual Studio and an Azure Resource Manager template to deploy Azure VMs
• Using Azure PowerShell and an Azure Resource Manager template to deploy Azure VMs
• Using Azure CLI and an Azure Resource Manager template to deploy Azure VMs

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Describe the main characteristics of Azure VMs.
• Plan for Azure VM deployments.
• Deploy Azure VMs.
• Describe the main characteristics of classic Azure VMs.

Module 4: Managing Azure VMs

This module explains how to configure and manage Azure VMs, including configuring virtual machine disks and monitoring Azure VMs.

Lessons

• Configuring Azure VMs
• Managing disks of Azure VMs
• Managing and monitoring Azure VMs
• Managing classic Azure VMs

Lab : Managing Azure VMs

• Implementing Desired State Configuration (DSC)
• Implementing Storage Spaces - based volumes

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Configure Azure VMs.
• Manage Azure VM disks.
• Manage and monitor Azure VMs.
• Manage classic Azure VMs.

Module 5: Implementing Azure App Service

This module explains the different types of apps that you can create by using the Azure App Service, and how you can select an App Service plan and deployment method for apps in Azure. It also explains how to use Microsoft Visual Studio, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients, Azure PowerShell, and Azure CLI to deploy Azure web and mobile apps. Additionally, the module explains how to configure web apps and use the Azure WebJobs feature to run custom tasks. It also explains how to monitor the performance of web apps and create and configure mobile apps. Lastly, this module explains how to use Azure Traffic Manager to distribute requests between two or more app services.

Lessons

• Introduction to App Service
• Planning app deployment in App Service
• Implementing and maintaining web apps
• Configuring web apps
• Monitoring web apps and WebJobs
• Implementing mobile apps
• Implementing Traffic Manager

Lab : Implementing web apps

• Creating web apps
• Deploying web apps
• Managing web apps
• Implementing Traffic Manager

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Explain the different types of apps that you can create by using App Service.
• Create a service plan and select a deployment method for App Service apps in Azure.
• Use Visual Studio, FTP clients, Azure PowerShell, and Azure CLI to deploy web and mobile apps to Azure.
• Configure web apps and use the Azure WebJobs feature to run custom tasks.
• Monitor the performance of web apps.
• Create and configure mobile apps.
• Use Azure Traffic Manager to distribute requests between two or more app services.

Module 6: Planning and implementing storage, backup, and recovery services

This module explains how to plan and implement storage, backup, and recovery services. It explains how to choose appropriate Azure Storage options to address business needs and how to implement and manage Azure Storage. It also explains how to improve web-application performance by implementing Azure Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). Lastly, this module explains how to protect cloud-resident and on-premises workloads by using Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery.

Lessons

• Planning storage
• Implementing and managing Azure Storage
• Implementing Azure CDNs
• Implementing Azure Backup
• Planning and implementing Azure Site Recovery

Lab : Planning and implementing Azure Storage

• Creating and configuring Azure Storage
• Using Azure File storage
• Protecting data with Azure Backup

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Choose appropriate Azure Storage options to address business needs.
• Implement and manage Azure Storage.
• Improve web application performance by implementing Azure CDNs.
• Protect cloud-resident and on-premises workloads by using Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery.

Module 7: Implementing containers in Azure

This module explains how to implement containers in Azure. It starts by introducing the concept of containers and presents different options for implementing containers on Windows and Linux Azure VMs. Next, it explains container orchestration in the context of Azure Container Service (ACS) and describes how to use ACS to deploy Docker Swarm, Kubernetes, and DC/OS clusters.

Lessons

• Implementing Windows and Linux containers in Azure
• Implementing Azure Container Service

Lab : Implementing containers on Azure VMs

• Implementing Windows and Linux containers in Azure
• Deploying containers to Azure VMs
• Deploying multicontainer applications with Docker Compose to Azure VMs
• Implementing Azure Container Registry

Lab : Implementing Azure Container Service

• Creating an ACS cluster
• Managing an ASC cluster

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Implement Windows and Linux containers in Azure.
• Implement Azure Container Service.

Module 8: Implementing Azure Cloud Services

This module explains how to plan and deploy Azure Cloud Services. It also explains how to manage and maintain Azure Cloud Services.

Lessons

• Planning and deploying Azure Cloud Services
• Managing and maintaining Azure Cloud Services

Lab : Implementing Azure Cloud Services

• Deploying a cloud service
• Configuring deployment slots and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
• Monitoring cloud services

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Plan and deploy Azure Cloud Services.
• Explain how to manage and maintain Azure Cloud Services.

Module 9: Implementing Azure Active Directory

This module explains how to implement Azure AD. It explains how to create and manage Azure AD tenants. It also explains how to configure single sign-on (SSO) for cloud applications and resources, and implement Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for cloud resources. Lastly, it explains the functionality of Azure AD Premium, and how to implement Azure Multi-Factor Authentication.

Lessons

• Creating and managing Azure AD tenants
• Configuring application and resource access with Azure AD
• Overview of Azure AD Premium

Lab : Implementing Azure AD

• Administering Azure AD
• Configuring SSO
• Configuring Multi-Factor Authentication
• Configuring SSO from a Windows 10 -based computer

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Create and manage Azure AD tenants.
• Configure SSO for cloud applications and resources, and implement RBAC for cloud resources.
• Explain the functionality of Azure AD Premium and implement Azure Multi-Factor Authentication.

Module 10: Managing an Active Directory infrastructure in a hybrid environment

This module explains how to manage Active Directory in a hybrid environment. It explains how to extend an on-premises Active Directory domain to Azure infrastructure as a service (IaaS) environments and synchronise user, group, and computer accounts between on-premises AD DS and Azure AD. This module also explains how to set up SSO by using federation and pass-through authentication between on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD.

Lessons

• Extending an on-premises Active Directory domain to Azure IaaS
• Implementing directory synchronisation by using Azure AD Connect
• Implementing SSO in hybrid scenarios

Lab : Implementing and managing Azure AD synchronisation

• Configuring directory synchronisation
• Synchronising directories

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Extend an on-premises Active Directory domain to Azure IaaS environments.
• Synchronise user, group, and computer accounts between on-premises AD DS and Azure AD.
• Set up SSO by using federation and pass-through authentication between on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD.

Module 11: Implementing Azure-based management and automation

This module explains how to implement Azure-based management and automation. It explains how to implement Microsoft Operations Management Suite (OMS) solutions and Azure Automation. The module also describes how to create different types of Azure Automation runbooks and implement Azure Automation - based management by using runbooks.

Lessons

• Implementing OMS
• Implementing Azure Automation
• Implementing Automation runbooks
• Implementing Azure Automation - based management

Lab : Implementing Automation

• Configuring Automation accounts
• Creating runbooks

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

• Implement OMS solutions.
• Implement Azure Automation.
• Implement different types of Azure Automation runbooks.
• Implement Azure Automation - based management.

Course 20532D: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

Module 1: Overview of the Microsoft Azure Platform

Microsoft Azure provides a collection of services that you can use as building blocks for your cloud applications.

Lessons

• Azure Services
• Azure Portal

Lab: Exploring the Azure Portal

• Signing in to the Azure Portal
• Customizing the Azure Portal

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe some of the common Azure services
• Describe features of the Azure Portal

Module 2: Building Application Infrastructure in Azure

Although many Microsoft Azure services use virtual machines, sometimes your application might have a unique need where it requires a virtual machine that is completely unmanaged. Azure provides networking, backup, and virtualization services as part of its Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offering.

Lessons

• Azure Virtual Machines
• Azure Virtual Machine Workloads
• Migrating Azure Virtual Machine Instances
• Highly Available Azure Virtual Machines
• Virtual Machine Configuration Management
• Customizing Azure Virtual Machine Networking
• Virtual Machine Scale Sets

Lab: Creating an Azure Virtual Machine for Development and Testing

• Creating a Network and Resource Container
• Creating a Development Virtual Machine
• Configuring the Virtual Machine for Development

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Virtual Machines service in Azure
• Deploy a Linux or Microsoft workload to a virtual machine
• Import virtual hard disks to Azure
• Monitor virtual machine endpoints

Module 3: Hosting Web Applications on the Azure Platform

This module provides an overview of the Azure Web Apps service.

Lessons

• Azure Web Apps
• Azure Logic and Function Apps
• Configuring an App Service App
• Publishing an Azure App Service App
• Supplemental Services

Lab: Creating an ASP.NET Web App by Using Azure Web Apps

• Creating an Azure Web App and Function App
• Deploying an ASP.NET Web Application to an Azure Web App
• Configuring an Azure Web App
• Deploy a Console Application to an Azure Function App

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create a Web App instance
• Publish a simple ASP.NET web application to Web Apps
• Monitor a Web App instance
• Use additional Azure services with a Web App instance
• Use Function and Logic Apps to create an integration workflow

Module 4: Storing SQL Data in Azure

Dynamic web applications must store the data that is being managed and manipulated by end users. ASP.NET technologies such as ADO.NET and Entity Framework provide a way for accessing data in SQL Server. In the cloud, the Microsoft Azure platform provides a database as a service offering that allows developers to use SQL in the same way as they would in an on-premises location.

Lessons

• Azure SQL Database Overview
• Managing SQL Databases in Azure
• Azure SQL Database Tools
• Securing and Recovering an Azure SQL Database Instance
• Additional Managed Database Services

Lab: Storing Event Data in Azure SQL Databases

• Creating an Azure SQL Databases Instance
• Using Entity Framework with Local SQL Server
• Using Entity Framework with Azure SQL Databases

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the difference between Azure SQL Database editions
• Explain some of the advantages and disadvantages of hosting databases in Azure SQL Database
• Explain some of the advantages and disadvantages of hosting databases in a SQL Server installation on a virtual machine in Azure
• Describe the tools that you can use to manage Azure SQL Database
• Implement a high-availability solution with Azure SQL Database
• Describe the Azure Database for MySQL and PostgreSQL services

Module 5: Designing Cloud Applications for Resiliency

As a developer, you should keep in mind certain considerations while designing applications for the cloud. Although there are many platform improvements available in the ASP.NET ecosystem, you need to rethink the way you design your applications, and the patterns that are used, with respect to the scalability and reliability metrics present for the cloud applications.

Lessons

• Application Design Practices for Highly Available Applications
• Application Analytics
• Building High Performance Applications by Using ASP.NET
• Common Cloud Application Patterns
• Caching Application Data

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Valet Key, Retry and Transient Fault Handling Patterns
• Use Load Balancing in a geographically redundant application
• Create modular applications with partitioned workloads
• Build High Performance ASP.NET Web Applications

Module 6: Storing Unstructured Data in Azure

Many new application workloads require new databases that offer scale and flexibility far beyond the capabilities of a traditional relational database. In Azure, there is a wide variety of NoSQL database services available for applications to store unstructured data in a flexible, schema-free and scalable fashion.

Lessons

• Azure Storage Overview
• Azure Storage Tables
• Azure Redis Cache
• Azure Search
• Azure Cosmos DB

Lab: Storing Event Registration Data in Azure Storage Tables

• Populating the Sign-In Form with Registrant Names
• Updating the Events Website to use Azure Cosmos DB
• Verify that the Events Web Site is using Azure Cosmos DB for Registrations

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Azure Storage service
• Use Azure Search or Cosmos to store NoSQL data
• Use Azure Redis Cache to store cache data

Module 7: Storing and Consuming Files from Azure Storage

When you want to scale to different cloud instances, storing files to a local disk becomes a difficult process to maintain and eventually an unreliable method of storage. Azure provides a Blob storage mechanism that not only offers high performance but also supports integration to Microsoft Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN) for low latency downloads.

Lessons

• Azure Storage Blobs
• Controlling Access to Storage Blobs and Containers
• Configuring Azure Storage Accounts
• Azure Files

Lab: Storing Generated Documents in Azure Storage Blobs

• Implement Azure Storage Blob
• Populating the Container with Files and Media
• Retrieving Files and Media from the Container
• Specifying Permissions for the Container

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Blob service in Microsoft Azure Storage.
• Identify the software development kit (SDK) libraries, namespaces, and classes that are available for blobs.

Module 8: Designing a Communication Strategy by Using Queues and Service Bus

With web applications presenting content and worker roles processing the logic, there needs to be a mechanism that facilitates the communication between these different entities. Microsoft Azure provides two queuing mechanisms that you can use for this purpose.

Lessons

• Azure Storage Queues
• Azure Service Bus
• Azure Service Bus Queues
• Azure Service Bus Relay
• Azure Service Bus Notification Hubs

Lab: Using Queues and Service Bus to Manage Communication Between Web Applications in Azure

• Creating an Azure Service Bus Namespace
• Using Azure Storage Queues for Document Generation
• Using Service Bus Queues for Document Generation

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe Storage Queues service
• Describe Service Bus
• Describe Service Bus Queues service
• Describe Service Bus Relay
• Describe Notification Hubs service

Module 9: Automating Integration with Azure Resources

Although you can manage most of the Azure services by using both of the Azure portals or Microsoft Visual Studio, you can use scripting to completely automate the management of the same resources. This module will look at automating the lifecycle of the services by using client libraries, Windows PowerShell, REST, and the Resource Manager.

Lessons

• Creating Azure Scripts using Azure PowerShell
• Creating Azure Scripts using Azure CLI
• Azure Resource Manager
• Azure REST Interface
• Azure Cloud Shell

Lab: Automating the Creation of Azure Assets using PowerShell and Azure CLI

• Use Azure CLI to Create and Manage an Azure Web App
• Use PowerShell to Create and Manage an Azure Storage Account

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Azure software development kits (SDKs) and client libraries
• Use Windows PowerShell to automate Azure REST
• Describe the REST API and the steps to authenticate to the API
• Use the Resource Manager to create resource groups and templates

Module 10: DevOps in Azure

Although you can deploy your cloud applications manually, it is in your best interest to begin automating cloud-based deployments. Automation creates many benefits including the ability to trace past actions, easier repetition of deployment tasks and reduced possibility of human error.

Lessons

• Continuous Integration
• Azure DevTest Labs
• Azure Resource Manager Templates
• Managed Solution Hosting

Lab: Deploying Templated Environments Using the Cloud Shell

• Start the Cloud Shell
• Use the Cloud Shell to Deploy an ARTM Template

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Automate the deployment of their applications to Azure.

Module 11: Securing Azure Web Applications

Just like on-premises applications, applications in the cloud need streamlined security mechanisms that are flexible. Azure Active Directory is an identity provider that can provide identity and access functionality for your custom applications or SaaS applications.

Lessons

• Azure Active Directory
• Azure AD Directories
• Azure AD Offerings
• Azure Key Vault

Lab: Integrating Azure Active Directory with the Events Administration Portal

• Describe the Azure AD service
• Explain the features that are available for the directories in Azure AD
• Describe the Microsoft Azure Multi-Factor Authentication service

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Azure AD service
• Explain the features that are available for the directories in Azure AD
• Describe the Microsoft Azure Multi-Factor Authentication service

You'll sit the following exams during the course at the Firebrand Training Centre, covered by your Certification Guarantee:

70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

The skills you'll be tested on include:

• Design and Implement Azure App Service Apps (10-15%)
• Create and Manage Azure Resource Manager Virtual Machines (20-25%)
• Design and Implement a Storage Strategy (10-15%)
• Implement Virtual Networks (15-20%)
• Design and Deploy ARM Templates (10-15%)
• Manage Azure Security and Recovery Services (25-30%)
• Manage Azure Operations (5-10%)
• Manage Azure Identities (5-10%)

70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

The skills you'll be tested on include:

• Create and Manage Azure Resource Manager Virtual Machines (20-25%)
• Design and Implement a Storage and Data Strategy (25-30%)
• Manage Identity, Application, and Network Services (10-15%)
• Design and Implement Azure Compute, Web, and Mobile Services (35-40%)

Included in your training will be the following:

Microsoft Official Practice Tests

• Practice exam for 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
• Practice exam for 70532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

Microsoft Official Curriculum

• 20533D: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
• 20532D: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

Before attending this course, you should have at least 6 months of hands-on experience working with Azure infrastructure. This includes an understanding of:

• On-premises virtualisation technologies including virtual machines, virtual networking, and virtual hard disks
• Network configuration including TCP/IP, DNS, virtual private networks, firewalls, and encryption technologies
• Websites including creating, configuring, monitoring and deploying a website on Internet Information Services (IIS)
• Active Directory concepts including Domains, Forests, Domain Controllers, replication, Kerberos, and LDAP
• Database concepts including Tables, queries, Structured Query Language (SQL), and database schemas
• Resilience and disaster recovery including backup and restore operations

Completing the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 will also meet the prerequisites.

You should also have Azure development experience with the ability to:

• Compare the services available in the Azure platform
• Configure and deploy web applications
• Create Azure websites using the gallery
• Deploying and monitoring Azure websites
• Create and configure Azure Virtual Machines
• Describe the relationship between Cloud Services and Virtual Machines
• Deploy existing Cloud Service packages
• Create and manage a Storage account
• Manage blobs and containers in a Storage account
• Create, configure and connect to a SQL Databases instance
• Identify the implications of importing a SQL Standalone database
• Manage users, groups and subscriptions in an Azure Active Directory instance
• Create a virtual network
• Implement a point to site network