AZ-204 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure

1. Overview of the Azure Developer Exam

Get a comprehensive overview of the Azure Developer Exam, its scope, and its significance in the cloud industry.

2. AZ-204 Exam Requirements

Delve into the specific requirements and prerequisites necessary to take the AZ-204 certification exam.

3. Azure Home and Dashboard

Navigate through Azure's Home and Dashboard to effectively manage and monitor your Azure services.

4. Azure Cloud Shell

Discover the functionality and benefits of the Azure Cloud Shell for managing Azure resources directly in the cloud.

5. Installing PowerShell

Step-by-step guidance on installing and configuring PowerShell for managing Azure resources.

1. AZ-204 Course - Starting Tips

Gain essential insights to kickstart your journey with the AZ-204 course, equipped with practical tips for success. NOTE: As of April 28, 2023, the topic of Virtual Machines has been removed from the AZ-204 exam. If you plan to take the exam after that date, you do not need to know this and can skip this section. Of course, I suggest you still learn the material because it's valuable and interesting.

2. What is a VM?

Explore the foundational role of virtual machines in Microsoft Azure development, covering their significance, creation process, and cost considerations with insights into pricing options, including reserved plans and potential discounts.

3. Create Your First VM - The Basics

Step into the world of Azure by learning how to create and configure your first Virtual Machine.

4. Virtual Machine Availability Concepts

Understand the critical concepts of Virtual Machine availability to ensure resilient and reliable Azure infrastructure.

5. Virtual Machine Sizes

Discover how to choose the right Virtual Machine sizes for optimal performance and cost efficiency in Azure.

6. Azure VM Disks and Networking Options

Dive into the configuration of Azure VM disks and networking options to maximize your VM's capabilities.

7. VM Advanced Options and the Review Page

Explore the advanced options available for Azure VMs, and learn how to review and finalize VM setups.

8. Connecting to an Azure VM - RDP and SSH

Master the methods of securely connecting to your Azure VM using Remote Desktop Protocol and Secure Shell.

9. Modify and Stop a VM

Learn the processes to modify and halt your Azure VM, giving you control over the VM lifecycle.

10. Azure Resource Manager model (ARM) - ARM Templates

Get acquainted with the Azure Resource Manager model and how to utilize ARM templates for resource deployment.

11. Create a VM Using Powershell

Leverage PowerShell to streamline the creation of Virtual Machines in Azure with command-line efficiency.

12. DEMO: Create a VM in CLI

Watch a hands-on demonstration of setting up a Virtual Machine in Azure using the Command Line Interface.

1. IaaS vs PaaS

Demystify cloud services by comparing IaaS and PaaS, crucial for choosing the right Azure service model for your applications.

2. Create an Azure Web App

Learn the step-by-step process of creating an Azure Web App, setting the stage for robust web-based services.

3. App Service Plan

Delve into selecting an App Service Plan, the backbone of your Azure web services, tailored to support various scaling and pricing options.

4. App Service Deployment Options

Discover the various deployment options available for your Azure App Service and how to utilize them effectively.

5. Manual Scaling an App Service

Master the technique of manually scaling an Azure App Service to manage the load and performance of your web applications.

6. Publishing an App Service

Walk through the publishing process of an Azure App Service, from development to live environment.

7. Deployment Slots

Dive into deployment slots in Azure, allowing for testing in production-like environments with zero downtime.

8. App Service General Settings

Navigate the general settings of an Azure App Service to optimize your application's functionality and performance.

9. App Service SSL Settings

Secure your web app with SSL settings in Azure, ensuring data encryption and security for user transactions.

10. Autoscaling an App Service

Learn the art of autoscaling in Azure to maintain optimal performance during varying loads, a key for high-availability services.

11. Enable Diagnostic Logs

Activate and utilize diagnostic logs in Azure for comprehensive monitoring and troubleshooting of your web apps.

12. DEMO: Create a Web App in PowerShell

Watch a live demonstration of creating an Azure Web App using the power of PowerShell scripting.

13. DEMO: Create a Web App in CLI

Get hands-on with the Azure CLI, a powerful tool for deploying and managing Azure resources with command-line precision.

14. DEMO: A look at az webapp up

Discover the simplest way to create an Azure Web App using the 'az webapp up' command, which streamlines the deployment process into one efficient step.

15. The WebApp Console

Uncover the capabilities of the Azure WebApp Console for direct management and real-time debugging of your Azure-hosted applications.

1. What is an Azure Container Instance (ACI)?

Unpack the essentials of Azure Container Instances (ACI), the serverless offering that simplifies running containers on Azure without managing servers.

2. Docker Desktop and Visual Studio Container Tools

Explore how Docker Desktop integrates with Visual Studio's Container Tools to enhance your containerization workflow for Azure deployment.

3. Using Visual Studio to Build a Container App

Learn to leverage Visual Studio for building containerized applications, a crucial skill for modern cloud development in Azure.

4. Deploy an ACI App From Azure Container Registry

See how to deploy applications seamlessly using Azure Container Instances directly from the Azure Container Registry.

5. Deploy an Azure Web App From Azure Container Registry

Master the deployment of Azure Web Apps from the Azure Container Registry, combining robust web hosting with container management.

1. Creating a Function App

Kickstart your journey into Azure Functions by learning how to create a Function App, the first step to building serverless applications.

2. Creating Our First Function

Follow the creation of your first Azure Function, an essential building block for serverless computing in the cloud.

3. HTTP Trigger Function

Delve into HTTP triggers to understand how Azure Functions respond to web requests, a key component for dynamic cloud applications.

4. Monitoring Function Events and Errors

Discover how to monitor Azure Functions, ensuring you can track events and troubleshoot errors effectively.

5. Adding a Blob Output Binding

Learn to enhance Azure Functions with Blob output bindings, allowing functions to interact with Blob storage seamlessly.

6. Timer Trigger Function

Schedule tasks effortlessly with Timer Trigger Functions, automating operations in your cloud environment on a set timetable.

7. Understanding Durable Functions

Gain insights into Durable Functions and how they maintain state and manage long-running workflows in Azure.

8. Using NPM INSTALL in Function Apps

See how NPM INSTALL is used within Azure Functions for managing dependencies in your serverless applications.

9. Creating a Durable Function

Step through the creation of a Durable Function to manage complex orchestration in your serverless applications.

10. Adding Delays to Functions using MOMENT

Integrate timing delays into your functions using the MOMENT library, adding precision to your serverless logic.

11. Function Core Tools

Get acquainted with Azure Function Core Tools for local development and testing, crucial for serverless application development.

12. Visual Studio and Functions

Learn to utilize Visual Studio for streamlined Azure Function development and deployment, offering a robust alternative to the Azure portal with version control integration.

13. INSTRUCTIONS: How to Use Microsoft Learn Exercises and Sandboxes

Explore the integration of Microsoft Learn's sandbox environment with our video course for hands-on practice in Azure, allowing you to apply concepts in a real-world setting without needing your own account.

1. Understanding Storage Accounts

Delve into the fundamentals of Azure Storage Accounts, learning how they operate as the backbone for data storage in Azure services.

2. Storage Account Settings

Navigate through the essential settings of an Azure Storage Account to customize and control data storage according to your needs.

3. Storage Account Networking and Data Protection

Examine how networking and data protection options within Azure Storage Accounts keep your data secure and accessible.

4. Storage Account Encryption

Discover the encryption features of Azure Storage Accounts, ensuring your data is securely encrypted both at rest and in transit.

5. Upload Files to a Storage Account

Learn the process of uploading files to an Azure Storage Account, a critical step in managing cloud data.

6. Access Keys and SAS Tokens

Understand the security mechanisms of access keys and SAS tokens in managing and safeguarding access to your Azure Storage data.

7. AzCopy V10

Learn to move files efficiently within Azure using AzCopy, a powerful tool that performs server-side copying across containers, storage accounts, and subscriptions without downloading data locally.

8. StartCopyFromUri Method

Master file manipulation in Azure using Visual Studio, where you'll learn to manage blob storage with the Azure Storage Blobs SDK, enabling seamless data operations within your cloud applications.

9. SetMetadata Method

Learn how to manage and retrieve properties of Azure blob storage using code, including setting and verifying metadata to enhance file management and data operations.

10. Storage Account Backup, Replication, and Lifecycle

Gain insights on Azure Storage Accounts with a focus on backups, including setting up operational backups with policies and vaults, and learn the importance of permissions and policies in maintaining data integrity.

11. Static Web App

Dive into Azure's innovative offering with the Static Web App service, which streamlines hosting for static content like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript without backend compute, simplifying web app deployment.

1. Introduction to CosmosDB

Get acquainted with CosmosDB, Microsoft Azure's globally distributed, multi-model database service designed for rapid development and scaling.

2. Create a CosmosDB Account

Step-by-step guide to setting up a CosmosDB account, laying the foundation for building scalable and performance-optimized applications.

3. Global Replication Options

Understand the global replication features of CosmosDB and how to configure them to ensure high availability and low latency for your data.

4. CosmosDB Keys and Security

Learn about CosmosDB's security practices, focusing on managing keys and implementing proper security measures to protect your data.

5. Create a CosmosDB Collection

Discover how to create and configure a CosmosDB collection, which serves as the storage container for JSON documents in your database.

6. Add Documents to CosmosDB

Find out how to add and manage documents within your CosmosDB collections, a crucial skill for data storage and retrieval in modern apps.

7. Setting Data Consistency Options

Explore data consistency options in CosmosDB to maintain data integrity across distributed databases while optimizing for performance.

8. Managing Change Feed Notifications

Master CosmosDB's change feed to track and respond to changes in your data, enabling real-time data processing and analytics.

9. Cosmos DB Todo App Code, Line By Line

Dive into the practical world of Azure's CosmosDB with the Cosmos.net Core Todo app, exploring how it integrates with CosmosDB for data operations, and learn the MVC application pattern.

1. Introduction to Entra ID (Azure AD)

Begin your Azure AD journey by understanding the foundational elements of Entra ID and its role in managing identities in the cloud.

2. What is an Entra ID (Azure AD) Tenant?

Explore the concept of an Azure AD tenant, the dedicated identity layer for your Azure environment that enables user and access management.

3. Create an Entra ID (Azure AD) Tenant

Learn the step-by-step process of creating a new Azure AD tenant, establishing the groundwork for your organization's identity management.

4. Microsoft Identity Platform

Discover the capabilities of the Microsoft Identity Platform and how it provides secure sign-in and authorization for your applications.

5. Create Users in Entra ID (Azure AD)

Delve into user creation within Azure AD, understanding how to add and manage users within your tenant for secure access control.

6. Register an Application for Entra ID (Azure AD)

Find out how to register a new application in Azure AD, a crucial step in integrating authentication and authorization in your apps.

7. Use Application Quickstart to Code an Application

Get hands-on experience coding an application with Azure AD integration using the provided Application Quickstart templates.

8. Overview of Microsoft Graph API

Gain insights into Microsoft Graph API, the powerful tool that allows you to query and manage Azure AD and Office 365 services programmatically.

9. Using Microsoft Graph API to Query Entra ID (Azure AD)

Master querying Azure AD with Microsoft Graph API, learning to retrieve and manipulate identity data for your organization's needs.

1. Secure App Configuration

Learn to secure your app configuration by leveraging Azure's secure cloud solutions, contrasting the use of app settings files with Azure Key Vault for more secure secret storage.

2. Data Encryption and Storage Accounts

Discover Azure Storage account encryption practices, ensuring secure data transfer and at-rest encryption with the option to manage keys via Azure Key Vault for heightened security control.

3. Data Encryption and SQL Databases

Learn the processes involved in encrypting SQL databases in Azure, providing an additional layer of security for your structured data.

4. Configuring Customer-Managed Key (CMK) with Azure Key Vault

Dive into the advanced security option of using Customer-Managed Keys with Azure Key Vault for granular control over your encryption keys and data security.

1. Introduction to Redis Caching

Delve into the basics of Redis caching to understand its impact on application performance and how it serves as a versatile in-memory data structure store.

2. Azure Cache for Redis SKU Comparison

Compare different service tiers of Azure Cache for Redis to identify the appropriate performance level and features for your application's caching needs.

3. Configure cache and expiration policies for Azure Cache for Redis

Learn to set up cache expiration policies within Azure Cache for Redis, ensuring your app's data remains current while optimizing cache storage efficiency.

4. Azure Cache for Redis Scaling

Explore scaling capabilities in Azure Cache for Redis to ensure your caching solution can adapt to the changing demands of your growing applications.

5. Reading and Writing to Redis in .NET

Gain hands-on experience with integrating Redis operations in .NET, covering the essentials of reading from and writing to Redis databases.

6. Implement secure and optimized application cache patterns

Master the implementation of secure and efficient caching patterns in your applications, enhancing both performance and data protection.

7. Redis Premium Clustering

Investigate the advanced clustering features of Redis Premium on Azure, enabling high availability and scalability for mission-critical applications.

8. Creating a CDN Profile

Step through creating a CDN profile on Azure, a foundational process for setting up a content delivery network that spans the globe.

9. Using a CDN in Your Application

Implement Azure CDN into your application, learning how to distribute content worldwide effectively, minimizing latency, and enhancing user experience.

1. Configure an app to use Application Insights

Discover Application Insights, an Azure Monitor extension, providing in-depth performance management for your app from development to production, with auto-instrumentation for seamless telemetry collection.

2. Monitor and analyze metrics, logs, and traces

Learn to utilize Application Insights to its full potential by monitoring detailed app metrics, logs, and traces for insightful analytics and troubleshooting.

1. Virtual Machine Logging

Discover how to leverage Azure Monitor's centralized dashboard for detailed monitoring across Azure services, specifically focusing on VM insights. Learn to create, configure, and analyze performance metrics to maintain the health and efficiency of Azure Virtual Machines.

2. Function App Logging

Explore the integration of Azure Functions with Application Insights for comprehensive monitoring capabilities. Learn how to create a function, enable live monitoring, and utilize the real-time console to observe function executions and performance metrics.

3. Azure Monitor

Delve into the extensive capabilities of Azure Monitor, learning how to enable and analyze diagnostics across various Azure services. Discover how to utilize Kusto Query Language for detailed data examination and leverage logs and metrics for insightful monitoring of Azure resources.

1. API Management

Learn the fundamentals of managing APIs on Azure using the API Management service, ensuring seamless API lifecycle and policy enforcement.

2. Configure API Management

Discover how to configure API Management for optimal performance, customizing API policies, and maintaining security and scalability.

3. Test the API

Understand the process of API testing within Azure, ensuring functionality and performance meet your application's requirements.

4. Add a New API to API Management

Step through the addition of new APIs to Azure API Management, enabling quick integration and management of services within your ecosystem.

5. *NEW* Swagger / OpenAPI

Discover how to leverage OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) specifications to import and manage external APIs within Azure API Management, enhancing API documentation and testing.

6. API Management Developer Portal

Learn to utilize Azure API Management's Developer Portal to create a user-friendly interface for developers, featuring API documentation, code samples, and testing capabilities, all customizable to meet your public-facing API needs.

1. Implement solutions that use Azure Event Grid

Discover how to implement Azure Event Grid for managing event routing in your cloud applications, offering a fully-managed event routing service with high availability and consistent performance.

2. Implement solutions that use Azure Event Hub

Learn to employ Azure Event Hub for handling massive events streaming, enabling real-time processing and analytics in large-scale, event-driven applications.

1. Azure Storage Queues

Gain proficiency in using Azure Storage Queues for building scalable cloud services that ensure reliable messaging between application components.

2. Service Bus Queue

Discover how Azure Service Bus provides a robust cloud messaging service with larger message sizes and service level agreements, essential for applications requiring reliable and scalable communication patterns.

1. Thank You!

Celebrate completing the Azure course and gear up for the exam with Microsoft's practice questions and documentation, while gaining hands-on experience through the Azure portal. Don't forget to schedule your test soon and revisit any topics as needed for confidence and clarity.

2. Renewing Your Developer Certification

Learn to renew your Azure Developer Associate certification before expiry to extend its validity by a year, focusing on key areas such as Azure Functions, Cosmos DB, and API Management.