Welcome to my AZ-800 study guide for administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure. The aim is that by the end of this article you should be well equipped to study for and earn the first part of the new Windows Server Hybrid certification.
The goal of achieving this certification is to prove you have the experience and technical ability to integrate Windows Server and Azure environments, manage on-premise Windows Server environments and manage Azure IAAS (Infrastructure As A Service) workloads
Once you have completed this guide, be sure to check out our AZ-801 Exam Study Guide.
About the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Certification
You can find a direct link to the Microsoft webpage detailing an outline of the certification, here.
To summarise, the role of the Windows Server Hyrbid Administrator is that they are responsible for integrating on-premise and Azure cloud Windows environments and maintaining these workloads. This could include migrating virtual machines between on-premise and Azure, implementing Azure backup and disaster recovery for on-premise and Azure virtual machines, configuring storage, configuring remote access, configuring update management and much more. You could imagine the list of responsibilities could really go on forever…
How do I achieve the certification?
The certification is broken down into two exams, you must pass both exams (in no specific order) to achieve the certification. They are
- Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (AZ-800)
- Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services (AZ-801)
About the AZ-800 Exam
As seen above, the AZ-800 exam is the first in a two-part series of exams to earn the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification.
The exam is broken down into 5 sections, that are weighted as per the below
- Deploy and manage Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in on-premises and cloud environments (30-35%)
- Manage Windows Servers and workloads in a hybrid environment (10-15%)
- Manage virtual machines and containers (15-20%)
- Implement and manage an on-premises and hybrid networking infrastructure (15-20%)
- Manage storage and file services (15-20%)
Where to start studying
As with any Azure exam, it is important to have a solid study plan. I usually give myself 30 days to study for an exam and usually dedicate about an hour per day, so I am not overloaded.
Start by reviewing the exam skills outline below and skip over any areas that you are already confident with, this will allow you to focus on areas of study which are most needed.
Continue by going through the Microsoft learn modules below, then move on to reading through the Microsoft docs, this will give you a strong written understanding of the key skills needed to pass. lastly, you should back up and validate any knowledge you have learned through conducting AZ-800 Azure lab exercises.
Is the AZ-800 exam hard?
The AZ-800 exam leads you down the path of an associate-level certification, so in theory, the exam is not hard. However, this is a new exam and online learning content for it may be pretty sparse, so you may find it challenging. Even with a lot of Windows Server experience, you may struggle without investing time to study. Most of the topics are based around Azure services, so take that in mind before you jump ahead and book the exam.
My tips for passing the AZ-800 Exam
In late December 2021, I completed both the AZ-800 and AZ-801 exams back to back. The exams were both still in beta at the time however my feedback on each exam should still be very relevant. Hopefully, the information I have gathered from taking both exams will help guide your study and aid you in passing the certification.
My Feedback
AZ-800 Exam Completed with Feedback and Notes
In each article, I give a brief overview of each exam, write in detail my feedback which I documented right after finishing the exam and what materials I used to study.
Microsoft Learn Paths for the AZ-800 exam
Below are the Microsoft Learn paths for you to begin studying for this exam.
AZ-800 Study Guide: Microsoft Docs
Deploy and Manage AD DS in On-premises and Cloud Environments (30-35%)
Deploy and manage AD DS domain controllers
Deploy and manage domain controllers on-premises
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/install-active-directory-domain-serv…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/install-a-new-windows-server-2012-ac…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/what-s-new-in-active-directory-domai…
Deploy and manage domain controllers in Azure
Deploy RODCs
Troubleshoot FSMO roles
Configure and manage multi-site, multi-domain, and multi-forest environments
Configure and manage forest and domain trusts
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/tutorial-create-forest-trust
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc771568…
Configure and manage AD DS sites
Configure and manage AD DS replication
Create and manage AD DS security principals
Create and manage AD DS users and groups
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc754661…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc771069…
Manage users and groups in multi-domain and multi-forest scenarios
Implement group managed service accounts (gMSAs)
Join Windows Servers to AD DS, Azure AD DS, and Azure AD
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-fs/deployment/join-a-computer-to-a-domain
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/join-windows-vm
Implement and Manage Hybrid Identities
Implement Azure AD Connect
Manage Azure AD Connect Synchronization
Implement Azure AD Connect cloud sync
Integrate Azure AD, AD DS and Azure AD Domain Services
Manage Azure AD Domain Services
Manage Azure AD Connect Health
Manage authentication in on-premises and hybrid environments
Configure and manage AD DS passwords
Manage Windows Server by using domain-based Group Policies
Implement Group Policy in AD DS
Implement Group Policy Preferences in AD DS
Implement Group Policy in Azure AD DS
Manage Windows Servers and Workloads in a Hybrid Environment (10-15%)
Manage Windows Servers in a Hybrid environment
Deploy a WAC Gateway Server
Configure a target machine for WAC
Configure PowerShell Remoting
- https://docs.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/learn/remoting/running-remote-commands?view=powershe…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/learn/remoting/powershell-remoting-faq?view=powershe…
Configure CredSSP or Kerberos Delegation for 2nd Hop Remoting
Configure JEA for PowerShell Remoting
Manage Windows Servers and workloads by using Azure services
Manage Windows Servers by using Azure Arc
Assign Azure Policy Guest Configuration
Deploy Azure services using Azure VM extensions on non-Azure machines
Manage Updates for Windows machines
Integrate Windows Servers with Log Analytics
Integrate Windows Servers with Azure Security Center
Manage IaaS VMs in Azure that run Windows Server
Implement Azure Automation for hybrid workloads
Create runbooks to automate tasks on target VMs
Implement DSC to prevent configuration drift in IaaS machines
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/dsc-overview
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/dsc-windows
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/features-windows
Manage Virtual Machines and Containers (15-20%)
Manage Hyper-V and guest virtual machines
Enable VM Enhanced Session Mode
Manage VM using PowerShell Remoting, PowerShell Direct and HVC.exe
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/manage-windows-virtual-machi…
- https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/manage-hyper-v-vms-using-powershell-direct/bc…
Configure nested virtualization
Configure VM Memory
Configure Integration Services
Configure Discrete Device Assignment
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/deploy/deploying-graphics-devices-u…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/plan-for-deploying-devices-usi…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/deploy/deploying-storage-devices-us…
Configure VM Resource Groups
Configure VM CPU Groups
Configure hypervisor scheduling types
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/manage-hyper-v-scheduler-typ…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/about-hyper-v-scheduler-type…
Manage VM Checkpoints
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/choose-between-standard-or-p…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/enable-or-disable-checkpoint…
Implementing high availability for virtual machines
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/set-up-hyper-v-replica
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/dn743844…
Manage VHD and VHDX files
Configure Hyper V Network Adapter
Configure NIC Teaming
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure-stack/hci/concepts/host-network-requirements
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/networking/technologies/nic-teaming/nic-teaming
Configure Hyper-V Switch
Create and manage containers
Create Windows Server Container Images
Manage Windows Server Container Images
Configure Container Networking
Manage container instances
Manage Azure Virtual Machines that run Windows Server
Manage Data Disks
Resize Azure VM
Configure Continuous delivery for an Azure VM
Configure connections to VMs
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/connect-logon
- https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/winrm
Manage Azure VM network configuration
Implement and Manage an On-premises and Hybrid Networking Infrastructure (15-20%)
Implement on-premises and hybrid name resolution
Integrate DNS with AD DS
Create and Manage zones and records
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc816891…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc816819…
Configure DNS forwarding/conditional forwarding
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc816830…
- https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/cc794735…
Integrate Windows Server DNS with Azure DNS private zones
Implement DNSSEC
Manage IP addressing in on-premises and hybrid scenarios
Implement and manage IPAM
Implement and configure the DHCP server role (on-premises only)
Resolve IP address issues in hybrid environments
Create and manage scopes
Create and manage IP reservations
Implement DHCP High Availability
Implement on-premises and hybrid network connectivity
Implement and manage the Remote Access role
Implement and manage Azure Network Adapter
Implement and manage Azure Extended Network
Implement and manage Network Policy Server role
Implement Web Application Proxy
Implement Azure Relay
Implement Site to Site VPN
Implement Azure Virtual WAN
Implement Azure AD Application Proxy
Manage Storage and File Services (15-20%)
Configure and manage Azure File Sync
Create Azure File Sync Service
Create Sync Groups
Create Cloud Endpoints
Register servers
Create Server Endpoints
Configure Cloud Tiering
Monitor File Sync
Migrate DFS to Azure File Sync
Configure and Manage Windows Server File Shares
Configure Windows Server file share access
Configuring File Screens
Configure FSRM quotas
Configure BranchCache
Implement and configure Distributed File System (DFS)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/dfs-namespaces/dfs-overview
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/dfs-replication/dfsr-overview
Configure Windows Server Storage
Configure disks and volumes
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/disk-management/manage-disks
- https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/disk-management/manage-basic-volumes
Configure and manage Storage Spaces
Configure and manage Storage Replica
Configure Data Deduplication
Configure SMB direct
Configure Storage QoS
Configure File systems
Summary
Thank you for reading my AZ-801 exam study guide. Be sure to check out my full exams study guide page!
