Azure Services for AZ-104
Passing AZ-104 requires more than being able to list Azure services. You must know what each service does, when to choose it over alternatives, and how it connects with the rest of the Azure platform. This section provides a structured overview of the core Azure services that form the backbone of the Azure Administrator Associate exam.
Use this page as a map. Each service category leads to deeper articles that explain configuration details, design considerations, and common exam scenarios—all built around official Microsoft skills.
What this section covers
The AZ-104 services section organises the key Azure resources into logical groups that mirror the way you will use them in real administration tasks and in the exam. For every service, you will find:
- A clear explanation of what the service is for.
- The administrative tasks and decisions you are expected to understand.
- How the service relates to other Azure components.
- Links to deeper dives on CloudCertPro and complementary documentation on CloudComputingDevPro.
Core Azure service categories
Azure services for AZ-104 fall into six main categories. Click any category to jump to its detailed index.
| Category | What you learn |
|---|---|
| Compute | Virtual Machines, Virtual Machine Scale Sets, Azure App Service, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Instances, and Azure Functions. Understand when to use VMs vs. containers vs. serverless, how to configure availability sets and zones, and how to scale compute resources. |
| Networking | Virtual Network (VNet), subnets, peering, Network Security Groups (NSGs), Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Azure DNS, ExpressRoute, and VPN Gateway. Learn to design network topology, secure traffic, and integrate on-premises networks. |
| Storage | Azure Storage accounts (Blob, File, Table, Queue), managed disks, Azure NetApp Files, and Storage migration tools. Know access tiers, replication options, shared access signatures, and how to secure data at rest. |
| Identity and Access | Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), users, groups, roles, Azure RBAC, managed identities, and conditional access. Master the relationship between Entra ID and Azure subscriptions, and how to assign least‑privilege permissions. |
| Monitoring and Management | Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerts, Application Insights, Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, and update management. Learn to detect and respond to issues, configure backup policies, and maintain operational visibility. |
| Security and Governance | Azure Policy, management groups, resource locks, Azure Blueprints, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Key Vault. Understand how to enforce compliance, protect secrets, and apply governance at scale. |
How to study Azure services for AZ-104
Do not treat this section as a reference you read once. Approach it with an administrator’s mindset:
- Understand the purpose of each service – Know what problem it solves and what workloads it supports.
- Know when to use it – Recognise the decision points that lead you to choose, for example, Azure Files over Blob Storage, or Application Gateway over Azure Load Balancer.
- Recognise common design trade‑offs – Every service has limits, cost implications, and performance characteristics. The exam often asks you to balance these factors.
- Connect service knowledge to real scenarios – Use the Scenarios section to apply your knowledge to practical problems. Service knowledge alone won’t pass the exam; you must demonstrate it in context.
For detailed technical documentation, CloudComputingDevPro provides comprehensive service‑by‑service references that complement the learning path on CloudCertPro.
Suggested learning order
You can explore the service categories in any sequence, but most AZ-104 candidates find this progression effective:
- Identity and Access – Almost every Azure service integrates with Entra ID. Start here to understand the security model that underpins everything else.
- Compute – Learn to deploy and manage the workloads your networks and storage will support.
- Networking – Build the connectivity layer that links compute and storage together.
- Storage – Add durable data services, then tie them back to compute and networking.
- Monitoring and Management – Once you can build resources, learn to keep them healthy.
- Security and Governance – Apply organisational controls and compliance on top of your working environment.
This order mirrors the natural dependency of services and matches the flow of many Azure learning paths.
Related AZ-104 pages
Your study does not stop at services. These pages will help you turn service knowledge into exam‑ready skills:
- AZ-104 Certification Overview – See where services fit within the full exam framework.
- Skills – Official Microsoft skills measured, expanded with architecture guidance.
- Labs – Hands‑on exercises that build operational fluency with Azure services.
- Scenarios – Apply service knowledge to real‑world operational problems.
- Resources – Study guides, checklists, and official references for your preparation.
What to do next
Pick a service category that aligns with your weakest area, or follow the suggested learning order above. Read the overview, explore the individual service pages, and then reinforce your understanding with a hands‑on lab or scenario exercise.
If you are new to AZ-104, begin with the Identity and Access category—it is the foundation for everything you will build in Azure.