After the Supercomputer, Cloud computing is said to be the fifth generation of computing preceded by the Computer, Client-Server Computing, and the Web. Almost every company has moved to cloud computing recently. The flexibility, ease and reliability make it more desirable. There is a great demand for trained staff with this new technical skill in cloud computing at various levels and many big organizations are in need of staff to take on this IT challenge as they are implementing cloud computing.  Data security is a challenge in cloud computing and multi encryption levels seem to be the solution. Very soon Data science, Artificial intelligence and machine learning services will be inside cloud providers to safeguard customer’s sensitive data. And trained personnel for the same are required too. 

This is where cloud computing platforms like Microsoft Azure have made a mark. The Azure cloud platform has 200 plus products with cloud services designed to create new solutions for you to solve everyday’s challenges and build the future. Creating, running and managing applications across multiple clouds, on-site with known tools and frameworks of your choice. In this blog, we will look at the best Microsoft Azure Fundamentals courses online that can help you decide the best course option for you. 

Let us learn a little more about cloud computing before that. 

What is a Cloud Platform or Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the combination of hardware, storage, networks, services, and all interfaces that help in providing computing as a service to customers. It basically has three main users – the end-user, the business authority user, and the cloud service provider. End-users are those who use the cloud. The business authority user is the caretaker of the data and services provided by the cloud. And the service provider maintains the IT assets of the cloud.

Cloud computing services fall into three categories – SaaS, PaaS and IaaS.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a service) 

PaaS (Platform as a service)

SaaS (Software as a service)

These clouds again can be deployed in three ways – Public, Private and Hybrid.

Why Microsoft Azure 

The Microsoft Azure Momentum: 

Microsoft Azure is the most opted public cloud provider of platform and services. Its VM( Virtual machine ) enables the creation of multiple identical auto-scaling Windows or Linux VMs in minutes. Deploying any apps, operating system(windows and open source) is a cakewalk for this VM. Computing services like website building, hosting along with its Container services that allow hosting solutions and storage management across all Azure deployments is possible. 

Azure Batch and Functions allow massive parallel and high-speed computing solutions that can scale thousands of VMs and run code as a serverless computation on-demand on a variety of events. Azure Service Fabric, microservice app development and lifecycle management has high efficiency. 

Its Cloud services support high-level applications and APIs. Azure Networking

Allows private connectivity and secure Cloud with Azure ExpressRoute and classify user traffic to special endpoints with Azure Traffic Manager. 

Azure Active Directory ensures multi-factor authentication, device registration, multi-tenant cloud-based directory and identity management. The CDN, DNS facility and much more from Azure. 

1. Henry Harvin Education

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Training course from Henry Harvin helps you prepare for the Microsoft Azure Foundation (AZ-900) exam. Extensive knowledge about the four core areas of Azure Fundamentals along with specializing in Azure Services including computing, Networking Storage & databases,  Azure Security, Privacy, Compliance & Trust, and also Azure pricing & Support form part of the curriculum. 

Microsoft Azure’s  4 forms of Cloud Computing: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS); Platform as a Service (PaaS); Software as a Service (SaaS); Serverless are the basics of the training plan. 

This course equips the learner to deploy Azure Resources, learn VPN Gateway structures, Azure Virtual Networks and concepts like NIC, NSG, Subnets; manage and deploy Web Apps, App Service Plans, deploy and configure  Function App and logic.

Participants also gain in-depth know-how of Azure Service Fabric and Kubernetes Service(AKS) in Azure; use Azure Management Tools like Azure Portal, Azure CLI, Cloudshell, Azure Powershell, Azure Apps, and much more. With all this training the student is well equipped to take the A-900 certification exam. 

9 in 1 Program

This course is a 9 in 1 Program which has the following as a package:

Training, Projects,  Internship, Certification, Placement,  E-Learning, Bootcamps, Hackathons and  Gold Membership that gives you access to alumni globally to learn updates from the best. 

Comprehensive Curriculum

The curriculum is well designed to make one industry-ready to meet the challenges of the job market with hands-on training in alignment with the GCAO(Goal-centric Action-oriented) pedagogy. 

The trainers have extensive knowledge of the subject and are industry experts, globally certified with over 12 years of experience. 

Benefits include the one Year Gold Membership of the Cloud Computing Academy, lifetime access to study material, boot camps and career support with interview skills guidance. 

Azure Courses offered:

  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Course
  • Microsoft Azure Administrator Course 
  • AWS Solutions Architect Course
  • AWS Developer Associate Course

Course fee 

Microsoft Azure Administrator Course 

                   ₹ 19500/-  ( Live Classroom )

₹ 17500/- ( Self paced)

Check out: Microsoft Azure Administrator Training Course

2. Microsoft

This module trains you in the basics of cloud computing and Azure and to get started with Azure’s subscriptions and accounts.

The Azure Fundamentals exam is a way to prove knowledge of cloud concepts, Azure services, Azure workloads, security and privacy in Azure including  Azure pricing and support. Candidates should be thorough with the general technology concepts as well as concepts of networking, storage, compute, application backup/support, and application development.

The Azure Fundamentals certification training module from Microsoft helps you prepare for other Azure role-based or speciality certifications, but it is not a compulsory requirement for any of them.

The curriculum has: introduction to cloud computing, what Azure is and its services; how to start creating Azure accounts with case studies; checking knowledge

The following are the learning paths included in the modules and completing all these will ensure your success in the Fundamentals certification and for the Administrator certification. 

Parts 1 to 5 learning paths cover describing Azure concepts, Azure services, management tools on Azure, general and network security features, privacy, governance and compliance and cost and service management. 

This foundation exam measures one’s ability to describe the following concepts: core Azure services, general security and network security features; cloud concepts; core solutions and management tools on Azure; identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features and Azure cost and service Level Agreements

2. LinkedIn

Prepare for the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam (AZ-900) – This course on Linkedin is for those without any technical background, to serve as a foundation for further Azure certifications as you build your expertise. 

Cloud services, cloud management, Azure planning and cost management are part of the course as you also prepare for the AZ -900 exam. 

The course is divided into parts and also includes the Active Directory Basics Course by Kunal D Mehta, an expert in the area. He teaches how to manage on site, cloud and hybrid environments. 

Azure Management Tools Course by Gary Grudzinskas teaches to deploy the 4 key management tools such as PowerShell.

The Azure Network Security course by Shyam Raj trains on connectivity, identity services, computing, networking on the cloud. 

The Exam Prep course: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) course by Sharon Bennett helps exam takers in the preparation and pattern of the exam. 

3. Udemy

AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam Prep – MAY 2021 course

This is for those Azure Fundamental AZ-900 Exam with practice tests.  Scott Duffy has created this course and has more than 5 lakh enrollments. The course has captions in English and quizzes to reinforce through the sessions. 

A 24-page study guide pdf for the exam is included. 

This needs no prior experience in Azure and provides all the needed basics of cloud computing. Those interested in understanding the different certifications also can take up this course. The course duration is one day. 

You’ll learn about the basics of the Azure platform and how to use it for your day-to-day projects. Apart from this, the trainer gives a brief introduction to other Azure concepts like the Security and Deployment of Apps in this course.

Videos are combined with study material to make the understanding process easy for the students. 

You can take up the next level certification in Azure which is the AZ-104 certification for the role of an Azure Administrator, by the same trainer, once you have the basics strong with the foundation course. 

The course fee is nominal and has impressive discounts currently. 

4. Coursera

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialization Course

This course from Coursera prepares you to launch your career in cloud computing by preparing for the AZ-900 certification. It includes four courses that will act as the foundation of fundamental knowledge to prepare you for the AZ-900 certification exam and for a promising career in the cloud. The curriculum of this program is carefully planned and aligned to the AZ-900 exam objective domains.

If you have just started in cloud computing, this course has different tasks assigned to students by the instructor and the next module videos open only on completion of these tasks. The deadlines are flexible and the course is 20hours long.

The curriculum has an introduction to Azure, deploying VMs on Azure, Security, Network management and firewall and resource configurations.

Practically testing concepts and engaging study material are a part of the course.

If you are planning to upgrade to the AZ-104 or take up multiple courses, the Coursera Plus subscription provides unlimited access to the most popular courses certification and guided projects. 

5. Pluralsight 

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Course by Pluralsight trains with a practical approach. This course is available on the Pluralsight website and it is a paid platform. There is a 10-day trial option, and you can take a tour and explore this course.

The course creator Matt Milner introduces you to the advantages, restrictions, and limitations of cloud computing. In due course,  you’ll be taught about various modules of Azure Security and SQL.

Graphical study material and instructor feedback make this course informative. Why cloud computing, exploring the platform, Azure AppFabric, Azure architecture, visual studio tools, roles, storage tables and queues, blobs and drives are covered with web applications in this course. 

Basically, you will need a Pluralsight membership to join this course which costs around ₹1,499 per month. There is a 14% discount on the yearly plan. 

6. Cloudacademy

4. AZ-900 Exam Preparation: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (free online course)

If you are looking for an explanatory course with in-depth videos and do not have enough time to invest, then this course from cloudacademy.com can help you. This course is a 6-hour long video course that teaches you all the required basics of the Azure platform. 

Created by Guy Hummel, an Azure expert, it has concepts that support easy understanding. It includes some added features like special lectures by industry experts and is updated regularly. This ensures you get the latest from the Azure industry. 

8. Dotnettricks

The Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals Training Program by dotnettricks.com trains you to become efficient in developing, planning and scaling your web applications on Microsoft Azure. Besides, it trains on core solutions and management tools on Azure; core Azure services; network security features and general security;  governance, identity, compliance and privacy features; also, Azure cost management and Service Level Agreements.

This training program is a fit for the IT professionals aspiring to pursue a career in Cloud Computing and go for Microsoft Azure Specialisation such as .Net Developers, IT Professionals/Application Developers, DevOps Engineers and solution architects can consider this course. 

The course includes tests & quizzes, practical assignments, real-world projects and support using Discord.

Course fee: ₹7000(discount price)

9. greatlearning.com

This course from Great Lakes Executive Learning, gives you a bird’s view of Microsoft Azure, why and where it is needed and compares AWS and Azure DevOps. It then takes you to Azure fundamentals like Virtualization, Service Plans, Tables, and Storage.

The Microsoft Azure Essentials course is 2.5 hours long and covers the fundamentals of Azure and cloud computing. It helps you acquire professional cloud computing skills like Virtualization Fundamentals, App service planning, Microsoft Azure Essentials, Blob storage Fundamentals and much more. 

This e-learning institute also equips you with a global Post-Graduate Program if you opt for the Cloud Computing Course.

10. bestdotnettraining.com

Azure Fundamental course at bestdottraining.com institute is for those who are looking for foundational knowledge of cloud services and who have just started working on a cloud-based solution and service. The AZ-900 certification is valid proof to demonstrate foundational knowledge of cloud service. And this course equips them for the exam. 

It is also a chance to showcase your knowledge of Azure services, Azure workloads, Security, and privacy. It develops your knowledge of the general technology concepts, with the concept of networking, storage, and application development.

Also, technical background candidates or those with no prior knowledge of cloud computing can opt for this course if interested in getting advanced knowledge or AZ-900 Certification. Management & senior management in companies going on the cloud can understand the basics of cloud computing (Azure).

Complete Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) online training offered by 

Mr Sandeep Soni is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and an Azure Solutions Architect. He will guide you to take up the Azure Certification exam. 

Advantages of Microsoft Azure

Cost: Microsoft Azure reduces the cost and effort of purchasing hardware and software. Besides, it reduces the cost of infrastructure and the facilities like cost like electricity for power, cooling round the clock and the maintenance team for IT needs.

Speed: Microsoft Azure allows on-demand services and a variety of computing resources that can be configured pretty easily. It also gives great flexibility and quick response to any variations in your business and customer needs.

Global Scale:  Scale-up of IT resources and downsizing of needs is possible with Microsoft Azure. On-demand usage of storage, computing resources and bandwidth from a particular geographic location is one of the greatest advantages of Azure. 

Productivity: Data Centers put in a lot of effort in caring for the hardware, software set up, patching software, backing up data and other resources. Microsoft Azure does away with the need for such tasks. This results in the  IT team spending more time on achieving important business goals than managing data centers.

Performance: Since Microsoft Azure cloud services and resources run on a global network of secure data centres that are regularly upgraded to the latest generation of fast and efficient computing hardware and software it offers the best performance.

Reliability: Data backup, disaster recovery, and IT services are made easier with Microsoft Azure cloud computing along with being less expensive, as they reflect your data at multiple places in their data centres.

Conclusion

With the world in the fast lane, technology is also catching up with new vigour. Cloud computing is inevitable as a platform that is taking over all the traditional platforms. From e-marketing to media, from education to governance, all areas are using cloud services for their speed, flexibility, reliability and cost-effectiveness. 

There is an ever-growing surge in demand for trained and certified cloud computing professionals. The idea of this blog is to highlight the new technology of cloud computing and what it means to opt for it as a profession and how you can go about it. The pay and perks of this profession are on the rise due to its global application. So, go ahead and see if you can make cloud computing and its various branches your career choice.   

FAQs

1. What is the Az-900 Exam?

Azure is currently Microsoft’s speedily growing large cloud platform. The Az-900 Exam exam covers basic concepts of the Azure cloud and is a strong foundation for those who are stepping into the Azure world. Though it is a foundational exam it is not an easy exam to pass. You need to know basic cloud concepts and some Azure administration concepts. This is open to participants with technical and non-technical backgrounds. Clearing this exam can validate Azure Cloud services skills and competency for the next Azure role-based certifications.
Some already have experience in Azure services and this certification proves your knowledge in core concepts of Azure and its various services, security, pricing,  administration, and support. 

2. What is AZ-104? Is AZ-900 required for the AZ-104 certification exam?

AZ-104 is the most popular certification exam in Azure, just after AZ-900. It is opted by Administrators and it helps as a foundation and pre-requisite for AZ-400 and as an unofficial prerequisite for AZ-303 and AZ-500.


3. How does one acquire the role of an Azure Administrator Associate?

To acquire the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification, you only need to take Exam AZ-104. Though the prerequisites for Azure Administrators mention Azure Fundamentals as a requirement, it is not so. One can directly opt for AZ-104 certification. Az-900 certification is an added advantage, though. 

4. What are the skills measured for AZ-900 Exam?

Describe cloud concepts (20-25%)
Describe core Azure services (15-20%)
Describe general security and network security features (10-15%)
Describe core solutions and management tools on Azure (10-15%)
Describe identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features (20-25%)
Describe Azure cost management and Service Level Agreements (10-15%)

5. Is there a  validity period for the  Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 certification?

Yes, there is a validity period for the certification. Like any of the other Azure role-based certifications, this  Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 certification expires in 2 years time. Certification always shows up on your official Microsoft transcript but however, in case of expiry it will be listed in a distinct section to differentiate from your active certifications.

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