AZ-104 Training: Become a Microsoft Azure Administrator
Azure administration is a key skill for IT teams in Switzerland. With the accelerated migration to the cloud, companies are looking for administrators capable of managing identities, virtual networks, storage, compute, and monitoring on the Microsoft Azure platform.
The AZ-104 training gives you the operational skills to administer a complete Azure environment in four days in Geneva or Lausanne. This official Microsoft course (MOC AZ-104) is the reference path for IT professionals who manage Azure subscriptions on a daily basis.
Identity and Access Management with Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is the central identity service of Azure. The AZ-104 training covers creating and managing users, groups, and administrative units. You learn to configure RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) roles to finely control permissions on subscriptions, resource groups, and individual resources.
Hybrid synchronization with Microsoft Entra Connect unifies identities between your on-premises Active Directory and Azure. Conditional access policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) strengthen connection security. These skills are essential for Swiss companies operating in hybrid mode that must ensure access compliance.
Network, Compute and Storage Administration in Azure
The training covers the full range of Azure infrastructure services. For networking, you learn to create VNets with subnets, configure peering, route tables (UDR), network security groups (NSG), and VPN connections. Load balancing with Azure Load Balancer and Application Gateway ensures traffic distribution.
Compute services include virtual machines (VMs), scale sets (VMSS), Azure App Service, and Azure Container Instances. You configure images, extensions, disks, and autoscaling policies. Azure storage covers storage accounts, Blob Storage, Azure Files, access tiers, and lifecycle policies. Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery complete the data protection strategy.
Monitoring, Governance and Automation
Azure Monitor collects metrics and logs from all your resources. The training covers configuring alerts, action rules, visualization workbooks, and Log Analytics for advanced analysis. Azure Advisor provides optimization recommendations for security, performance, and costs.
Azure governance uses Azure Policy to enforce configuration standards, blueprints to deploy compliant environments, and tags to organize resources. Automation with PowerShell, Azure CLI, and ARM/Bicep templates enables reproducible and rapid deployments. These governance and automation practices are standard requirements in Swiss companies subject to audit and compliance obligations.
Azure Administrator Associate Certification: AZ-104 Exam
The AZ-104 exam (Microsoft Azure Administrator) validates the Azure Administrator Associate title. It contains between 40 and 60 questions (multiple choice, scenarios, case studies, and labs) and lasts approximately 120 minutes. The passing score is 700 out of 1000. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed free of charge via Microsoft Learn.
In French-speaking Switzerland, this certification is among the most requested by employers for cloud administration positions. Targeted roles include Azure administrator, cloud engineer, hybrid infrastructure administrator, and IT operations consultant. Banking, pharmaceutical, international organization, and technology sectors in Geneva and Lausanne actively recruit Azure-certified profiles.
At ITTA, a Microsoft Learning Partner in Switzerland You benefit from hands-on labs on real Microsoft cloud environments, an official course support (MOC), and MCT certified trainers. Sessions are held in-person in Geneva and Lausanne or via virtual classroom.
FAQ
What are the prerequisites for the AZ-104 training?
Experience in IT administration (Windows Server, networking, storage) is recommended. A basic understanding of Azure concepts (portal, subscriptions, resource groups) is helpful. The AZ-900 training is an excellent preliminary step for beginners.
Is this training suitable for someone without Azure experience?
Basic Azure knowledge is expected. If you are completely new to Azure, it is recommended to take the AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) training first. The AZ-104 training is designed for IT professionals with existing infrastructure experience.
How much time is dedicated to hands-on labs?
The training includes substantial hands-on time with Microsoft cloud labs. Each module combines theory with practical exercises on real Azure environments. Participants spend approximately 50-60% of the time on labs.
Does the AZ-104 cover Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)?
The training covers Azure Container Instances and basic container concepts. For in-depth Kubernetes training, the AZ-305 and dedicated container courses are recommended.
Is the training available as a virtual classroom?
Yes. ITTA offers the AZ-104 training in-person in Geneva and Lausanne as well as via virtual classroom with the same content, the same labs, and the same MCT trainer. You choose the format that suits you.
Is the certification recognized in Switzerland?
Yes. The Azure Administrator Associate certification is internationally recognized and highly valued by employers in French-speaking Switzerland for cloud infrastructure positions.
Can this training be combined with other Azure courses?
The AZ-104 training pairs well with AZ-500 (Security), AZ-700 (Networking), and AZ-305 (Architecture). These specialized courses deepen your skills in specific areas of the Azure platform.