Overview
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to administer a SQL Server database infrastructure for cloud, on-premises and hybrid relational databases and who work with the Microsoft PaaS relational database offerings. Additionally, it will be of use to individuals who develop applications that deliver content from SQL-based relational databases.
Skills Covered
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Plan, deploy and configure Azure SQL offerings
- Monitor database performance and tune a database and queries for optimum performance
- Plan and configure a High Availability Solution
Who Should Attend
The audience for this course is data professionals managing data and databases who want to learn about administering the data platform technologies that are available on Microsoft Azure. This course is also valuable for data architects and application developers who need to understand what technologies are available for the data platform with Azure and how to work with those technologies through applications.
Course Curriculum
Prerequisites
Successful Azure Database Administrators start this role with professional experience in database management and technical knowledge of cloud technologies.
Specifically:
- Working with, maintaining, and developing with SQL Server
- Experience with Azure, such as deploying and managing resources
At a minimum, you should know the information in the following training before attending the course:
- Introduction to Azure SQL
- DP-900T00: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
- AZ-900T00: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Download Course Syllabus
Course Modules
This module explores the role of a database administrator in the world of Azure. It also provides some foundational information relevant to the overall content. This includes a review of the various SQL Server-based options (SQL Server in a VM, Managed Instances, and Azure SQL Database.) Students will learn why compatibility level is a crucial concept when working with SQL databases in Azure. Students are also introduced to other database platforms available on Azure in addition to those based on SQL Server, in particular PostgreSQL and MySQL
Lessons
- Azure Data Platform Roles
- Azure Database Platforms and Options
- SQL Server Compatibility Levels
- Azure Preview Features
Lab : Using the Azure Portal and SQL Server Management Studio
- Provision a SQL Server on an Azure Virtual Machine
- Connect to SQL Server and Restore a Backup
After completing this module, students will:
- Understand the role of Azure Database Administrator as it fits in with other data platform roles
- Be able to describe the key differences between the SQL Server-based database op
- Be able to describe the difference between versions and compatibility levels
- Know how to enable and disable preview features
This module introduces methods for deploying data platform resources in Azure. You will learn about options for both upgrading and migrating existing SQL databases to Azure. You will learn how to set up Azure resources to host SQL Server on a Virtual Machine, a Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database and either PostgreSQL or MySQL. You will learn how to determine which options are best based on specific requirements including the High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) needs. They will learn to calculate resource requirements and create templates for their deployments.
Lessons
- Deploying SQL Server using IaaS
- Deploying SQL Server using PaaS
- Deploying Open Source Database Solutions on Azure
Lab : Deploying Azure SQL Database
- Deploy a VM using an ARM template
- Configure resources needed prior to creating a database
- Deploy an Azure SQL Database
- Register the Azure SQL Database instance in Azure Data Studio and validate connectivity
- Deploy PostgreSQL or MySQL using a client tool to validate connectivity
After completing this module, students will:
- Deploy resoureces using manual methods
- Reconmmend an appropriate databvase offering based on requirements
- Configure database resources
- Evaluate and implement a strategy for moving a database to Azure
This module explores the practices of securing your SQL Server Database as well as an Azure SQL database. This includes a review of the various SQL Server-based options as well as the various Azure options for securing Azure SQL Database as well as the databases with reside within Azure SQL Database. . Students will lean why security is crucial when working with databases. . Students are also introduced to other database platforms available on Azure in addition to those based on SQL Server, in particular, Azure Database for MariaDB/MySQL/PostgreSQL
Lessons
- Configure Database Authentication
- Configure Database Authorization
- Implement Security for Data at Rest
- Implement Security for Data in Transit
- Implement Compliance Controls for Sensitive Data
Lab : Implement a Secure Environment
- Configure a server-based firewall rule using the Azure Portal
- Authorize Access to Azure SQL Database with Azure Active Directory
- Enable Advanced Data Security and Data Classification
- Manage access to database objects
After completing this module, students will:
- Understand the differences between Windows, SQL Server and Azure Active Directory Authentication
- Describe and configure both data-at-rest encryption solutions as well as data-in-transit encryption
- Implement a data sensitivity solution
This module will teach you about resource optimization for your databases created using either IaaS or PaaS services. The module also covers monitoring server and hardware resources. It will familiarize you with the various tools available for monitoring performance and establishing a baseline. You will learn how to interpret performance metrics for the most critical resources. You will also learn how to troubleshoot database performance using Azure SQL Database Intelligent Insights.
Lessons
- Baselines and Performance Monitoring
- Major Causes of Performance Issues
- Configuring Resources for Optimal Performance
- User Database Configuration
- Performance-related Maintenance Tasks
Lab : Monitor and Optimize Resources
- Isolate CPU Problems
- Use Query Store observe blocking problems
- Detect and correct fragmentation issues
After completing this module, students will:
- Monitor activity and compare to a baseline
- Define maintenance tasks related to performance
- Identify major causes of performance problems
- Configure resources for optimal performance
- Configure a user database for optimal performance
Query execution plans are potentially the most important aspect of database performance. Improving bad plans is certainly an area where a small amount of effort can bring huge improvements. While hardware issues can limit query performance, improving hardware usually yields performance improvements in the 10-20% range, at most. More commonly database administrators encounter queries that are not optimized, have stale or missing statistics, have missing indexes, or poor database design choices that lead to the database engine doing more work than is necessary to return results for a given query. Improving the plans can sometimes yield performance improvements in the 100-200% range or even more, meaning that after improving a plan with better indexes or statistics, a query could run twice or three times as fast! This module provides details on how to analyze individual query performance and determine where improvements can be made.
Lessons
- Understanding SQL Server Query Plans
- Explore Performance-based Database Design
- Evaluate Performance Improvements
Lab : Query Performance Troubleshooting
- Identify issues with database design AdventureWorks2017
- Isolate problem areas in poorly performing queries in AdventureWorks2017
- Use Query Store to detect and handle regression in AdventureWorks2017
- Use query hints to impact performance in AdventureWorks2017
After completing this module, students will:
- Analyze query plans and identify problem areas
- Evaluate potential query improvements
- Review table and index design
- Determine whether query or design changes have had a positive effect
A common goal for database administrators in many environments is to automate as many of their repetitive tasks. This can be as simple as using scripting to automate a backup process, and as complex as building a fully automated alerting system. This module provides details of automating tasks to simplify the DBA’s job. Methods include scheduling tasks for regular maintenance jobs, as well as multi-instance administration and configuration of notifications for task success or failure or non-completion.
Lessons
- Setting up Automatic Deployment
- Defining Scheduled Tasks
- Configuring Extended Events
- Managing Azure PaaS resources Using Automated Methods
Lab : Automating Tasks
- Deploy an Azure template from a Quickstart template on GitHub
- Configure notifications based on performance metrics
- Deploy an Azure Automation Runbook (or elastic job) to rebuild indexes on an Azure SQL Database
After completing this module, students will:
- Deploy resources using automated deployment scripts
- Create scheduled tasks
- Create notifications and alerts
- Configure automation for PaaS services
Data must be available when the business needs it. That means the solutions hosting the data must be designed with availability and recoverability in mind. Suppose you work for a company that sells widgets both in stores and online. Your main application uses a highly transactional database for orders. What would happen if the server or platform hosting the transactional database had a problem that made it unavailable or inaccessible for some reason? What impact would it have on the business? If the right solution is put in place, the database would come online in a reasonable timeframe with minimal effort, thus allowing business to continue with little-to-no impact. This module and its associated lab cover configuring, testing, and managing a solution for high availability and disaster recovery (HADR) in Azure, for both Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) deployments. This module will not only cover basic requirements, but also the various options available to achieve HADR.
Lessons
- High Availability and Disaster Recovery Strategies
- IaaS Platform and Database Tools for HADR
- PaaS Platform and Database Tools for HADR
- Database Backup and Recovery
Lab : Plan and Implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery Environment
- Create an Always On Availability Group
- Enable Geo-Replication for Azure SQL Database
- Backup to URL and Restore from URL
After completing this module, students will understand:
- The difference between recovery time and recovery point objectives
- The available HADR options for both IaaS and PaaS
- The considerations for planning and configuring HADR solutions including how backup and restore fi
- The factors that comprise a HADR strategy
- How to configure a high availability solution via a hands-on lab
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Training Options
- ILT: Instructor-Led Training
- VILT: Virtual Instructor-Led Training
Exam & Certification
Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate.
The Azure Database Administrator Associate certification validates that you have what it takes to be a data management specialist with subject matter expertise implementing and managing cloud and on-premises relational databases built on top of SQL Server and Azure data services. You earn the certification by passing Exam DP-300: Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure.
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Training & Certification Guide
The Azure Database Administrator implements and manages the operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions built with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services. The Azure Database Administrator uses a variety of methods and tools to perform day-to-day operations, including applying knowledge of using T-SQL for administrative management purposes.
Candidates for this exam are database administrators and data management specialists that manage on-premises and cloud relational databases built with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services.
The Azure Database Administrator implements and manages the operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions built on Azure Data Services and SQL Server. The Azure Database Administrator uses a variety of methods and tools to perform day-to-day operations, including applying knowledge of using T-SQL for administrative management purposes.
This role is responsible for management, availability, security and performance monitoring and optimization of modern relational database solutions. This role works with the Azure Data Engineer role to manage operational aspects of data platform solutions.
- Plan and implement data platform resources (15-20%)
- Implement a secure environment (15-20%)
- Monitor and optimize operational resources (15-20%)
- Optimize query performance (5-10%)
- Perform automation of tasks (10-15%)
- Plan and implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) environment (15-20%)
- Perform administration by using T-SQL (10-15%)
When you earn a certification or learn a new skill, it’s an accomplishment worth celebrating with your network. It often takes less than a minute to update your LinkedIn profile and share your achievements, highlight your skills, and help boost your career potential. Here’s how:
- If you’ve earned a certification already, follow the instructions in the congratulations email you received. Or find your badge on your Certification Dashboard, and follow the instructions there to share it. (You’ll be transferred to the Acclaim website.)
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If you’ve already earned your Azure Database Administrator Associate certification, but it’s expiring in the near future, we’ve got good news. You’ll soon be able to renew your current certifications by passing a free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn—anytime within six months before your certification expires. For more details, please read our blog post, Stay current with in-demand skills through free certification renewals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Earning a Microsoft Certification is globally recognized and industry-endorsed evidence of mastering real world skills. It shows you demonstrate proficiency in keeping pace with technology. It’s a career move that yields many positive results.
Getting a Microsoft Certification is also a great way to break into the tech industry. A Microsoft Certification immediately confers a level of authority and expertise, especially helpful for someone new to the industry.
The number of questions on a certification exam is subject to change as Microsoft make updates to ensure it aligns with current changes in the technology and job role. Most Microsoft Certification exams typically contain between 40-60 questions; and around 60-140 minutes.
Starting June 30 2021, all newly earned role-based and specialty certifications will be valid for one year from the date the certification was earned.
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