Cloud computing is the modern day’s holy grail technology, and today, most businesses and organizations have recognized its value and have set their base in cloud platforms to optimize their business operations and provide services to billions of customers worldwide.
If you are thinking about launching a career in cloud computing, then acquiring an Azure Certification will be the right launch pad for kickstarting that awesome journey. Do you know what Azure is or where it is used and why getting certified in Azure is so vital these days? If you still need to, then you have come to the right place, as this article will cover the what, why, and how of Azure, as well as a guide on how to get Azure certified. So, no more fretting around, and let us get started.
What is Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure, or Azure as it is more often known, is a public cloud computing platform introduced by Microsoft on February 1, 2010. It provides software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) in addition to support for third-party and Microsoft-specific products and systems. As a result, mastering Azure can open up a wealth of new professional prospects and help you advance along your chosen career path.
How getting certified in Azure can benefit you?
Azure is growing at an exponential growth rate, and there is a huge demand for skilled professionals who can create cloud applications and oversee cloud infrastructures. Azure certifications are highly regarded in the cloud technology industry because they are instrumental in validating your skillset and knowledge while also serving as a benchmark for globally accepted industry standards. Also, Azure certifications are highly technical role-based, and Microsoft awards these certifications to only those individuals with technical competency in their chosen job role.
This means that adding an Azure certification to your job description not only helps to validate your cloud skills and prove your cloud expertise and competence but also makes your profile appear more alluring to recruiters that can help you launch your dream career.
Why is Azure so popular?
Today, Microsoft Azure is the most popular cloud computing platform, trailing only Amazon Web Services (AWS). Over 90% of Fortune 500 organizations presently use it. With its multilevel security across data centers, infrastructures, and operations, Azure delivers a highly secure cloud base. As a result, it provides high security for protecting the data of an organization. Azure provides one of the greatest infrastructure management services by combining IaaS and PaaS services, allowing Azure administrators to design, test, deploy, and manage their services on a pay-as-you-go basis, giving organizations full flexibility. It also offers a hybrid cloud architecture that allows enterprises to remain on-premise while reaping cloud benefits, allowing them to maintain sensitive data on-premises while shifting the less critical data to the cloud. Azure provides faster services and is extremely customizable, thanks to cutting-edge tools and creative technology. Another reason businesses use Azure is that most enterprises operate within a Microsoft ecosystem that includes Windows 10, Windows Servers, Microsoft SQL Service, and Microsoft 365. As a result, adopting Microsoft Azure assures seamless integration with the technologies in use.
Top services provided by Azure
The top services provided by Azure are listed below:
· Networking- The Azure virtual network, a component of the Azure networking technology, enables networking between on-premises computers used by enterprises and virtual machines located at the Azure data center. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) device is used to configure the virtual network. Load balancers, application gateways, Azure DNS for domain hosting, content delivery networks, traffic managers, and other networking services are also available in Azure.
· Storage- A storage service is used to store data in the cloud that is scalable and includes services such as Blob storage, queue storage, file storage, and table storage, among others.
· Databases- It includes a variety of databases, such as Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Database for PostgreSQL, as well as SQL and NoSQL tools.
· Computing- One of Azure’s most important services for managing virtual machines; Azure container service for supporting Kubernetes, DC/OS, Swarm, or Docker; Azure Container Registry; Batch Processing; Service fabric for facilitating microservices-based application development.
· Other Azure services include Identity and Access Management (IAM), Content Delivery, Analytical services such as Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Hybrid Integration, AI and Cognitive Services, and many more.
Applications of Azure
Microsoft Azure is utilized in a wide range of applications, including
· Infrastructure Services
· Mobile Apps
· Web Applications
· Cloud Services
· Storage, Backup and Recovery
· Data Management
· Media Services
Azure certifications
Those who are eager to launch a successful career in the field of cloud computing as a developer, devOps engineer, Azure administrator, architect, or data scientist should think about obtaining Microsoft Azure certifications. Microsoft offers a wide range of Azure certifications that are divided into categories depending on work roles and skill levels, from beginner to expert. For instance, the beginner-level certification Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals is perfect for people who want to understand the fundamentals of the cloud and other fundamentals. The other certificates, such as “Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate,” are of an intermediate level and are perfect for those who have a foundational understanding of cloud computing but wish to master more complex ideas. However, to earn these certifications, one must qualify for exams. For instance, to get an entry-level Azure certification, one must qualify for the Microsoft AZ-900 Azure fundamentals exam. Additionally, there are other certifications that you can earn through institutes and digital platforms that provide master’s programs and other courses through bootcamps and additional training methods. Often these certifications are provided in alignment with Microsoft, adhering to their course structure and meeting the industry standards; hence they are considered highly authentic and valuable.
It’s also worth mentioning that Azure is not your only option if you’re interested in cloud computing. For one, Amazon has AWS. And just like Azure, you can get an AWS certification in Australia or anywhere in the world through an online course.