AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions from Pluralsight

This course will help you obtain the knowledge and skills required to sit the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions exam.

Welcome to this certification course on Microsoft’s AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions.

This course will prepare you to pass your exam and prove your skills in designing, governing, and migrating to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. Throughout the course, we’ll learn about the services, features, pricing, and licensing you’ll need to know for the exam, and also how you can apply the knowledge you gain when architecting Azure solutions in the real world.

This course will cover the following domains:

Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions

Design data storage solutions

Design business continuity solutions

Design infrastructure solutions

Passing the AZ-305 exam, and gaining your Azure Administrator Associate certification, will allow you to earn your Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.

While you do not have to have achieved your Azure Administrator Associate certification to sit the AZ-305 exam, it is considered a prerequisite for the expert certification. For this course, you need to already be familiar with deployment, configuration, and implementation of various Azure services. For example, when discussing how to design a compute-based solution in this course, we will consider various compute services, key features, pricing, and when you might use these services. While some time will be spent demonstrating these services, our focus is on key features, and not configuration or administration. We’ll go through a variety of subtopics in each domain, using previous lessons as part of the foundation for the next topic. You will gain a practical knowledge of how these pieces fit together and how you can design solutions to common problems faced in enterprises today. You'll get experience with hands-on labs to solidify your knowledge, and you can look forward to practice questions throughout the course to ensure you’re ready to move on. So with all of that being said, it's time to jump in and get started on becoming an Azure Solutions Architect Expert.

What's inside

Syllabus

Section 1 - Welcome to the Course

Section 2 - Architecting Azure Solutions

Section 3 - Design Identity and Access Management

Section 4 - Design for Identity Security

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Prepares students for a Microsoft expert certification exam

Provides foundational knowledge and practical skills for real-world Azure solution architecting

Covers the essential domains of Azure Infrastructure Solutions design, including identity, data storage, business continuity, and more

Instructors are experienced industry professionals known as 'A Cloud Guru,' recognized for their expertise in Azure cloud computing

Requires prior experience and familiarity with Azure services for optimal learning

Involves additional expenses, such as exam fees and potential software or subscription costs

Reviews summary

Az-305 exam prep: architecting azure solutions

According to learners, this course is a highly effective resource for individuals preparing for the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions exam. Students consistently highlight the instructor's clear explanations and the course's logical structure, which aids in understanding complex architectural concepts. Many found the hands-on labs and practice questions particularly valuable for solidifying knowledge and improving exam readiness. While the course provides a strong foundation, some learners noted that it assumes prior Azure experience and that some content or labs may require occasional updates due to Azure's rapid evolution, a common challenge in this field.

Some learners found the course a good foundation but not fully comprehensive.

"It felt like a good *introduction* but not enough for the expert exam. I ended up buying another course to supplement this one."

"A decent foundation but not a complete solution for the AZ-305. I'd say it's 70% of what you need; you'll need to fill in the gaps yourself."

"I think the course could benefit from more detailed explanations on certain complex scenarios, especially around networking and security design."

Requires prior familiarity with Azure services for optimal learning.

"Good course overall, but it assumes a lot of prior knowledge. If you're not already familiar with Azure services, you might struggle."

"Make sure you have your Azure admin knowledge down beforehand."

"While it covers the topics, I had to refer to external Microsoft Learn documentation constantly."

Labs are crucial for practical understanding, though updates are needed.

"I particularly appreciated the hands-on labs which really solidified my understanding of complex Azure concepts."

"Labs were perfectly integrated, not just theoretical."

"Labs are helpful, though sometimes I had to adjust slightly due to Azure's rapid changes."

The instructor's clarity and course organization are frequently praised.

"The instructor's explanations are incredibly clear, and the pace is just right."

"Fantastic content! The course structure is logical, moving from foundational design principles to specific service implementations."

"Absolutely brilliant! The instructor clarifies difficult topics with ease and provides a comprehensive overview for the AZ-305."

Highly recommended for passing the AZ-305 certification exam.

"This course is an excellent resource for preparing for the AZ-305 exam..."

"Fantastic content! ...This is a must-take if you want to pass AZ-305 and understand Azure architecture deeply."

"Passed my AZ-305 thanks to this course! The content is highly relevant, and the practice questions mirrored the exam well."

Some sections may need updates due to rapid Azure platform changes.

"Some sections feel a bit outdated, especially regarding new Azure features or changes to pricing models."

"For an expert-level certification, I expected more current content. It needs an update to stay relevant."

"The labs often didn't work as described, or required troubleshooting that wasn't part of the lesson."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions with these activities:

Review Cloud computing concepts

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Refresh your foundational knowledge of cloud computing to prepare for this course

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Read through previous notes or textbooks on cloud computing
Review online resources and articles on the basics of cloud computing

Review Powershell

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PowerShell will be essential in leveraging the full capabilities of Azure. Familiarizing yourself with its cmdlets will enable you to control and automate your Azure configuration management.

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Follow an online tutorial on PowerShell basics
Start practicing with PowerShell in a virtual machine or cloud shell
Create a small script to automate a simple task

Establish a Home Lab Environment

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Hands-on interaction with Azure environment reinforces course concepts.

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Set up a physical or virtual machine with computing, storage, and networking capabilities.
Install Azure CLI and PowerShell.
Create Azure resources such as virtual machines, storage accounts, and virtual networks.

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Follow guided tutorials on Microsoft's Learn platform

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Supplement your understanding of Azure infrastructure design concepts by following guided tutorials from Microsoft's Learn platform.

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Identify a specific topic or skill you want to improve in.
Search for and select a relevant tutorial on the Microsoft Learn platform.
Follow the step-by-step instructions and complete the hands-on exercises.
Review the tutorial content and reinforce your understanding.

Practice Azure Design Scenarios

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Repetitive practice reinforces design concepts and improves problem-solving skills.

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Work through Azure design case studies.
Solve practice questions on disaster recovery, high availability, and scalability.

Plan an Azure deployment

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Create a plan for deploying an application or service on Azure

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Identify the application or service to be deployed
Choose the appropriate Azure services and resources
Design the deployment architecture
Estimate the costs and resources required
Create a deployment plan

Practice designing Azure infrastructure solutions in a simulated environment

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Reinforce your understanding of designing Azure infrastructure solutions by simulating real-world scenarios and practicing different design patterns.

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Identify a specific Azure infrastructure design problem to work on.
Gather the necessary information about the problem, including requirements, constraints, and available resources.
Design and implement an Azure infrastructure solution using the Azure portal or command line tools.
Test and validate your solution to ensure it meets the requirements.

Participate in a study group or online forum dedicated to Azure infrastructure design

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Expand your knowledge and connect with others by engaging in discussions and sharing insights with peers in a study group or online forum dedicated to Azure infrastructure design.

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Identify and join a study group or online forum that aligns with your interests.
Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your own insights.
Collaborate with other members on projects or assignments related to Azure infrastructure design.
Reflect on the discussions and interactions, and apply the knowledge you gain to your own learning.

Follow Azure Design Patterns

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Microsoft-recommended practices improve solution quality and align with exam objectives.

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Review Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework.
Explore Azure Architectural Styles and Patterns.
Apply design patterns in hands-on lab exercises.

Develop a project plan or architecture diagram for a hypothetical Azure infrastructure solution

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Apply your understanding of Azure infrastructure design by creating a project plan or architecture diagram for a real-world scenario.

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Define the scope and objectives of the project or solution.
Research and identify the appropriate Azure services and technologies to use.
Design and document the architecture of the solution, including network topology, data storage, and security considerations.
Create a project plan that outlines the steps and resources needed to implement the solution.

Design a data storage solution

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Develop a design for a data storage solution that meets specific requirements

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Identify the data storage requirements
Choose the appropriate Azure Storage services
Design the data storage architecture
Estimate the costs and resources required
Create a data storage design document

Mentor or tutor other students who are preparing for the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions exam

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Enhance your understanding of Azure infrastructure design concepts by guiding and supporting other students.

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Identify opportunities to mentor or tutor other students who are preparing for the exam.
Prepare materials and resources that can assist students in their learning and exam preparation.
Schedule regular sessions to guide students through concepts, answer their questions, and provide feedback.
Encourage students to actively engage in discussions and share their insights.

Create a blog post or article that showcases your understanding of a particular Azure infrastructure design concept

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Deepen your understanding of Azure infrastructure design by explaining and presenting a concept to others through a blog post or article.

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Choose a specific Azure infrastructure design concept that you want to write about.
Research and gather information from reliable sources, such as Microsoft documentation, whitepapers, and industry blogs.
Organize your content into a logical structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Write clear and concise content that explains the concept in a way that is easy for others to understand.
Proofread and edit your blog post or article before publishing it on your blog or website.

Design an Azure Infrastructure Solution

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Creating a design document demonstrates comprehensive understanding and prepares for real-world scenarios.

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Identify a business or technical problem.
Design an Azure-based solution using core infrastructure elements: compute, storage, network, and security.
Document the design, including diagrams, architecture, and implementation details.

Configure Azure networking services

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Practice configuring and managing Azure networking services

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Create and manage virtual networks
Configure network security groups
Implement load balancing

Career center

Learners who complete AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Architect

As a Cloud Architect, your work is the design, development, and monitoring of cloud-based systems. This work typically includes designing and managing cloud infrastructure, which is a common theme throughout the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Through the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate infrastructure solutions within Azure. This course will be highly relevant to your line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer is a professional who designs, builds, and manages cloud-based systems. This type of work typically includes designing, implementing, and maintaining cloud infrastructure. The knowledge and skills you will learn in this course are highly relevant to this work, as you will be learning about the design, governance, and migration of infrastructure solutions within Azure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design, develop, and maintain data pipelines. Their work often involves designing and managing data infrastructure, which is a common focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate data storage solutions within Azure. This course will be highly relevant to your line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Azure Administrator

As an Azure Administrator, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining Azure infrastructure. This typically involves designing and implementing Azure solutions, which is the focus of the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Through the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course is highly relevant to this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Azure Administrator

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers are responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. Their work often involves designing and managing infrastructure, which is a core focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course can be useful as you build a foundation in Azure infrastructure design.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer systems. This work often includes designing and managing infrastructure, which is a key focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course will be highly relevant to your line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Enterprise Architect

Enterprise Architects design, develop, and maintain IT infrastructure for organizations. Their work often involves designing and managing cloud infrastructure, which is a common theme throughout the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Through the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate infrastructure solutions within Azure. This course will be highly relevant to your line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Enterprise Architect

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems for organizations. This work often involves designing and managing cloud infrastructure, which is a common theme throughout the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Through the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course will be highly relevant to your line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Software Architect

Software Architects design, develop, and maintain software systems. This work often involves designing and managing cloud infrastructure, which is a common focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course can be useful as you build a foundation in Azure infrastructure design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks. Their work often involves designing and managing infrastructure, which is a core focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course will be highly relevant to your line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain database systems. Their work often involves designing and managing infrastructure, which is a key focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course may be useful as you build a foundation in Azure infrastructure design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Storage Engineer

Storage Engineers design, implement, and maintain storage systems. Their work often involves designing and managing infrastructure, which is a common theme throughout the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Through the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course can be useful as you build a foundation in Azure infrastructure design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Storage Engineer

Cloud Security Analyst

Cloud Security Analysts are responsible for ensuring the security of cloud-based systems. This typically involves designing and implementing security measures, which is a common focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course will be highly relevant to your line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Analyst

Cloud Solutions Architect

Cloud Solutions Architects design, develop, and manage cloud-based solutions. This typically involves designing and managing cloud infrastructure, which is a key focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course can be useful as you build a foundation in Azure infrastructure design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Solutions Architect

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. This typically involves designing and managing data infrastructure, which is a key focus in the AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course. Throughout the course, you will learn key skills and knowledge to design, govern, and migrate to reliable, scalable, secure, and performant solutions within Azure. This course may be useful as you build a foundation in Azure infrastructure design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist