Microsoft Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads (AZ-120) Exam Preparation

Designing a migration strategy for SAP workloads to Microsoft Azure is a critical component of the AZ-120 exam. This topic involves understanding the various migration approaches, such as lift-and-shift, re-platforming, and re-architecting, and selecting the most appropriate method based on the specific SAP landscape and business requirements. Key considerations include assessing the current SAP environment, identifying dependencies, planning for data migration, ensuring minimal downtime, and leveraging Azure-specific tools and services like Azure Migrate, Azure Site Recovery, and Azure Database Migration Service. Candidates should also be familiar with SAP-specific migration tools and methodologies, such as SAP's Database Migration Option (DMO) and Software Update Manager (SUM).

This topic is fundamental to the AZ-120 exam as it directly relates to the core objective of migrating SAP workloads to Azure. It ties into other exam areas such as designing Azure infrastructure for SAP workloads, implementing high availability and disaster recovery solutions, and optimizing Azure resources for SAP systems. Understanding migration strategies is crucial for IT professionals tasked with planning and executing SAP migrations to Azure, making it a key focus area in the certification.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of different migration approaches and their suitability for specific scenarios.
• Case study-based questions requiring analysis of a given SAP landscape and recommendation of an appropriate migration strategy.
• Drag-and-drop questions to match migration tools and services with their appropriate use cases.
• Scenario-based questions asking candidates to identify potential challenges in a migration plan and propose solutions.
• Questions on sizing and performance considerations during migration, including how to leverage Azure's scalability features.

The exam will likely test both theoretical knowledge and practical application of migration concepts, requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to design comprehensive migration strategies for complex SAP environments.

Designing a core infrastructure solution in Azure to support SAP workloads involves creating a robust and scalable foundation for running SAP applications in the cloud. This includes planning and implementing key components such as virtual networks, storage solutions, and compute resources optimized for SAP workloads. Candidates should understand how to design high-availability and disaster recovery solutions, implement security measures, and ensure proper network connectivity between on-premises and Azure environments. Additionally, knowledge of Azure-specific services like Azure NetApp Files, Azure ExpressRoute, and Azure Backup for SAP HANA is crucial for creating an efficient and reliable infrastructure.

This topic is fundamental to the AZ-120 exam as it forms the basis for deploying and managing SAP workloads in Azure. Understanding how to design a core infrastructure solution is essential for ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and reliability of SAP applications in the cloud. It relates closely to other exam objectives, such as migrating SAP workloads to Azure and maintaining SAP solutions on Azure, as a well-designed infrastructure is crucial for successful migration and ongoing operations.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the actual exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure services and their applicability to SAP workloads
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to design infrastructure solutions for specific SAP deployment scenarios
• Case study questions that involve analyzing complex environments and recommending appropriate Azure services and configurations
• Drag-and-drop questions for matching Azure services with specific SAP infrastructure requirements
• Hot area questions where candidates must select the correct options within a diagram or interface to design a proper infrastructure solution

The depth of knowledge required will range from understanding basic Azure concepts to being able to make complex design decisions based on specific SAP workload requirements, performance needs, and business constraints.

Designing Azure infrastructure services to support SAP workloads involves architecting a robust and scalable environment that meets the specific requirements of SAP applications. This includes selecting appropriate Azure virtual machines, storage solutions, and networking components that align with SAP's performance and availability needs. Key considerations include choosing the right VM sizes and series (such as M-series for large memory workloads), implementing Azure Premium SSD or Ultra Disk storage for optimal I/O performance, and configuring Azure Virtual Networks with proper subnets and network security groups. Additionally, designing for high availability and disaster recovery using Azure Availability Zones, Azure Site Recovery, and Azure Backup is crucial for ensuring business continuity of SAP systems.

This topic is fundamental to the AZ-120 exam as it forms the foundation for deploying and managing SAP workloads in Azure. Understanding how to design the infrastructure is critical for ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and reliability of SAP applications in the cloud. It relates closely to other exam topics such as migrating SAP workloads to Azure, implementing Azure services for SAP workloads, and maintaining SAP on Azure solutions. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in this area to show they can effectively plan and administer Microsoft Azure for SAP workloads.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure services and their suitability for SAP workloads (e.g., selecting the appropriate VM series for specific SAP applications).
• Scenario-based questions that require analyzing a given SAP landscape and recommending the appropriate Azure infrastructure design.
• Case study questions that involve designing a complete Azure infrastructure solution for a complex SAP environment, considering factors like performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Drag-and-drop questions for matching Azure services with specific SAP infrastructure requirements.
• Questions on Azure networking configurations, storage options, and high availability solutions specific to SAP workloads.

Designing a resilient Azure solution to support SAP workloads involves implementing high availability and disaster recovery strategies for SAP systems running on Azure. This includes configuring Azure availability zones, availability sets, and Azure Site Recovery for SAP components such as HANA databases, application servers, and central services. Key considerations include designing for zero data loss, minimal downtime, and automated failover processes. Additionally, implementing Azure Backup for SAP systems, utilizing Azure Storage redundancy options, and leveraging Azure Traffic Manager for global load balancing are crucial aspects of ensuring resilience.

This topic is fundamental to the AZ-120 exam as it directly addresses one of the core skills measured: designing and implementing SAP solutions on Azure with high availability and disaster recovery capabilities. Understanding how to create resilient architectures for SAP workloads is essential for ensuring business continuity and meeting service level agreements (SLAs) in enterprise environments. This knowledge is critical for IT professionals responsible for planning and administering SAP systems on Azure.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure services and features for high availability and disaster recovery
• Scenario-based questions requiring analysis of specific SAP workload requirements and selection of appropriate Azure resilience solutions
• Case study questions involving complex enterprise environments, where candidates must design end-to-end resilient architectures for SAP systems
• Drag-and-drop questions for matching Azure services with their corresponding resilience capabilities
• Hot area questions focusing on configuring specific Azure services for high availability and disaster recovery of SAP components

The depth of knowledge required will include understanding Azure-specific concepts, SAP architecture principles, and the ability to integrate both to create robust, resilient solutions.

Automating the deployment of Virtual Machines (VMs) in Azure is a crucial skill for managing SAP workloads efficiently. This process involves using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates, PowerShell scripts, or Azure CLI commands to create and configure VMs at scale. Key aspects include defining VM specifications (size, OS, storage), networking settings, and SAP-specific configurations. Automation also encompasses the use of Azure Automation runbooks and Azure DevOps pipelines to orchestrate complex deployments, ensuring consistency and reducing manual errors. Additionally, candidates should understand how to leverage Azure VM extensions and custom script extensions to configure SAP components post-deployment.

This topic is integral to the AZ-120 exam as it directly relates to the "Migrate SAP Workloads to Azure" and "Build and Deploy Azure SAP Workloads" domains. Proficiency in VM automation is essential for efficiently managing large-scale SAP environments in Azure, which is a core competency tested in this certification. Understanding these concepts helps candidates demonstrate their ability to design and implement scalable, reliable SAP infrastructures on Azure, aligning with Microsoft's best practices for SAP on Azure deployments.

Candidates can expect various question types on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure VM deployment methods and tools
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to select the most appropriate automation approach for a given SAP deployment scenario
• Case study questions asking candidates to identify and resolve issues in automated VM deployment processes
• Drag-and-drop questions to order steps in an automated VM deployment workflow
• Hot area questions focusing on selecting correct parameters or options in ARM templates or PowerShell scripts for SAP VM deployments

The depth of knowledge required ranges from understanding basic concepts of VM automation to applying advanced techniques for complex SAP landscapes in Azure.

Implementing and managing virtual networking in Azure is a crucial aspect of deploying SAP workloads. This topic covers the creation and configuration of virtual networks (VNets), subnets, and network security groups (NSGs) to ensure secure and efficient communication between SAP components. It also includes understanding and implementing network connectivity options such as VNet peering, ExpressRoute, and VPN gateways to connect on-premises environments with Azure. Additionally, candidates should be familiar with Azure DNS for name resolution and Azure Load Balancer for distributing traffic across SAP application servers.

This topic is fundamental to the AZ-120 exam as it forms the backbone of the network infrastructure required for SAP workloads in Azure. Understanding virtual networking is essential for designing and implementing a robust and secure SAP environment in the cloud. It directly relates to other exam topics such as designing high-availability solutions, implementing disaster recovery, and ensuring security and compliance for SAP workloads. Proficiency in this area is crucial for successfully planning and administering Microsoft Azure for SAP workloads.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure networking concepts and best practices for SAP workloads
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to design or troubleshoot network configurations for specific SAP deployment scenarios
• Case study questions that involve analyzing complex SAP environments and recommending appropriate networking solutions
• Drag-and-drop questions for matching networking components or configuring network settings
• Hot area questions where candidates must select the correct areas in a network diagram or Azure portal interface

The depth of knowledge required will range from basic understanding of Azure networking concepts to advanced skills in designing and implementing complex network architectures for SAP workloads. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to apply networking principles in real-world SAP scenarios.

Managing access and authentication on Azure is a crucial aspect of securing SAP workloads in the cloud. This topic covers various authentication methods and access control mechanisms provided by Azure, such as Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), role-based access control (RBAC), and managed identities. It involves understanding how to configure and manage user and application identities, implement multi-factor authentication, and set up conditional access policies. Additionally, candidates should be familiar with Azure AD Connect for synchronizing on-premises directories with Azure AD, as well as implementing single sign-on (SSO) for SAP applications using Azure AD.

This topic is essential to the AZ-120 exam as it directly relates to the security and compliance requirements for SAP workloads on Azure. Understanding access and authentication management is crucial for ensuring that only authorized users and applications can access SAP resources and data. It aligns with the exam's focus on implementing and managing secure SAP environments in Azure, which is a key consideration for organizations migrating their SAP workloads to the cloud.

Candidates can expect various types of questions on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure AD features, RBAC concepts, and authentication methods
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to choose the appropriate access control solution for a given SAP workload scenario
• Case study questions that involve analyzing a complex SAP environment and recommending suitable authentication and access management strategies
• Drag-and-drop questions to match Azure security features with their corresponding use cases or benefits
• True/false questions to assess understanding of Azure AD capabilities and limitations in the context of SAP workloads

The depth of knowledge required will range from basic understanding of Azure AD concepts to more advanced scenarios involving hybrid identity solutions and implementing SSO for SAP applications. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to apply these concepts in real-world SAP on Azure scenarios.

Implementing and managing identities in Azure for SAP workloads involves setting up and maintaining secure access control for SAP systems running on Azure. This includes configuring Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) for user authentication and authorization, implementing role-based access control (RBAC) for fine-grained permissions, and integrating on-premises Active Directory with Azure AD through Azure AD Connect. Additionally, it covers managing service principals and managed identities for applications and services to securely access Azure resources. Candidates should understand how to configure single sign-on (SSO) for SAP applications, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for enhanced security, and manage identity governance to ensure compliance with organizational policies.

This topic is crucial to the overall AZ-120 exam as it forms the foundation for securing SAP workloads in Azure. Understanding identity and access management is essential for designing and implementing a secure SAP environment in the cloud. It relates directly to other exam topics such as designing and implementing SAP workload security, ensuring compliance, and integrating on-premises SAP systems with Azure. Mastering this topic will enable candidates to create robust and secure SAP deployments that meet organizational requirements and industry best practices.

Candidates can expect various types of questions on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure AD concepts, RBAC, and identity management features
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to choose the appropriate identity solution for a given SAP workload scenario
• Case study questions asking candidates to design an identity and access management strategy for a complex SAP environment in Azure
• Drag-and-drop questions to match identity management concepts with their appropriate use cases or configurations
• True/false questions to assess understanding of identity-related best practices and security considerations

The depth of knowledge required will range from basic understanding of Azure AD concepts to advanced scenarios involving hybrid identity solutions and complex SAP environments. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to apply identity management principles to real-world SAP workload scenarios in Azure.

Monitoring SAP workloads on Azure is a critical aspect of maintaining optimal performance and ensuring business continuity. This topic covers various tools and techniques used to monitor SAP systems running on Azure infrastructure. Key components include Azure Monitor, which provides a comprehensive solution for collecting, analyzing, and acting on telemetry from Azure resources. Additionally, candidates should be familiar with SAP-specific monitoring tools like SAP Solution Manager and Azure Monitor for SAP Solutions. These tools allow administrators to track system health, performance metrics, and resource utilization. Important sub-topics include setting up alerts, creating custom dashboards, and implementing automated responses to specific events or thresholds.

This topic is crucial to the overall AZ-120 exam as it directly relates to the ongoing management and optimization of SAP workloads in Azure. Effective monitoring is essential for maintaining high availability, performance, and cost-efficiency of SAP systems. It ties into other exam areas such as high availability and disaster recovery planning, as well as performance tuning and optimization. Understanding monitoring concepts and tools is fundamental for candidates aiming to demonstrate their ability to plan, implement, and manage SAP solutions on Azure effectively.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the actual exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of specific Azure monitoring tools and their capabilities
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to select appropriate monitoring solutions for given SAP workload requirements
• Case study questions asking candidates to analyze monitoring data and recommend actions to address performance issues
• Drag-and-drop questions to match monitoring tools with their specific use cases or features
• True/false questions to assess understanding of monitoring best practices and limitations

The depth of knowledge required will range from basic familiarity with monitoring concepts to the ability to interpret complex monitoring data and make informed decisions based on that information. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of both Azure-native monitoring tools and SAP-specific monitoring solutions.

Building and deploying high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) infrastructure for SAP products in Azure is a critical aspect of ensuring business continuity. This topic covers the design and implementation of robust HA/DR solutions for SAP workloads, including the use of Azure availability zones, availability sets, and Azure Site Recovery. It involves configuring Azure Load Balancer for SAP application servers, implementing SQL Server Always On availability groups for the database layer, and setting up SAP HANA System Replication. Additionally, candidates should understand how to leverage Azure-specific features like Azure Backup and Azure Storage replication to enhance the overall resilience of SAP systems.

This topic is fundamental to the AZ-120 exam as it directly addresses one of the core skills measured: designing and implementing SAP on Azure solutions with high availability and disaster recovery capabilities. It aligns with Microsoft's emphasis on ensuring that Azure-hosted SAP workloads meet enterprise-grade reliability and business continuity requirements. Understanding HA/DR concepts and their implementation in Azure is crucial for professionals tasked with planning and administering SAP workloads in the cloud environment.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure HA/DR features and their applicability to SAP components
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to select the most appropriate HA/DR solution for a given SAP landscape
• Case study questions that involve analyzing complex SAP environments and recommending suitable HA/DR architectures
• Configuration-based questions on setting up specific HA/DR components like Azure Load Balancer or SQL Server Always On
• Troubleshooting questions related to common HA/DR issues in SAP on Azure deployments

The exam will likely test both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills, emphasizing the ability to design and implement HA/DR solutions that meet specific business requirements and SLAs for SAP workloads in Azure.

Performing infrastructure validation checks is a crucial step in ensuring that the Azure environment is properly configured and optimized for SAP workloads. This process involves verifying various aspects of the infrastructure, including network connectivity, storage performance, compute resources, and security settings. Key sub-topics include running Azure readiness checks, validating SAP-specific requirements, assessing network latency and throughput, verifying storage IOPS and throughput, and ensuring compliance with SAP and Microsoft best practices. Additionally, infrastructure validation checks may involve using tools like Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor, and SAP-specific validation tools to identify potential issues and optimize performance.

This topic is essential to the AZ-120 exam as it directly relates to the core competency of planning and administering Azure for SAP workloads. Understanding how to perform infrastructure validation checks is crucial for ensuring the reliability, performance, and security of SAP systems running on Azure. It ties into broader exam themes such as designing and implementing Azure infrastructure for SAP, optimizing Azure resources for SAP workloads, and maintaining SAP systems on Azure. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to assess and validate the Azure environment to meet SAP's specific requirements and best practices.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of specific validation checks and their purposes
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to identify appropriate validation steps for given SAP workload requirements
• Case study questions asking candidates to analyze infrastructure configurations and recommend validation checks
• Drag-and-drop questions to match validation tools with their corresponding functions or use cases
• Hot area questions requiring candidates to select correct validation steps or tools from a list of options

The depth of knowledge required will include understanding the specific Azure services involved in SAP workloads, familiarity with SAP infrastructure requirements, and the ability to interpret validation results and recommend appropriate actions. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate practical knowledge of performing these checks in real-world scenarios.

Performing an operational readiness check is a crucial step in preparing for SAP workload deployment on Microsoft Azure. This process involves assessing the current infrastructure, applications, and processes to ensure they are ready for migration to Azure. Key aspects of the operational readiness check include evaluating network connectivity, security measures, data migration strategies, and performance requirements. It also encompasses reviewing the existing SAP landscape, identifying potential compatibility issues, and planning for necessary modifications to optimize the SAP workloads for Azure. Additionally, the operational readiness check involves assessing the organization's skills and resources, identifying any gaps, and developing a plan to address them before the migration.

This topic is essential to the AZ-120 exam as it forms a critical part of the planning and preparation phase for migrating SAP workloads to Azure. Understanding how to perform a thorough operational readiness check is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing potential issues during and after the migration. It relates closely to other exam topics such as designing Azure infrastructure for SAP workloads, planning for high availability and disaster recovery, and implementing security and compliance measures. Mastery of this topic demonstrates a candidate's ability to assess and prepare for complex SAP migrations to Azure, which is a key skill for professionals in this field.

Candidates can expect various types of questions on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of key components of an operational readiness check
• Scenario-based questions presenting a specific SAP landscape and asking candidates to identify necessary steps in the readiness assessment
• Case study questions requiring candidates to analyze a given situation and recommend appropriate readiness check procedures
• Questions focusing on specific tools or methodologies used in Azure for assessing SAP workload readiness
• Questions testing the ability to identify potential issues or risks during the readiness assessment process

The exam may require a deep understanding of Azure services relevant to SAP workloads, as well as knowledge of SAP systems and their requirements. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Optimizing performance in Azure for SAP workloads involves fine-tuning various aspects of the infrastructure and application stack to ensure optimal operation of SAP systems. This includes optimizing Azure VM configurations, storage performance, network throughput, and database performance. Key strategies involve selecting the right VM sizes, implementing Azure Premium SSD or Ultra Disk storage for high I/O workloads, utilizing Azure Accelerated Networking for enhanced network performance, and leveraging Azure SQL Database or Azure NetApp Files for SAP HANA deployments. Additionally, implementing Azure monitoring tools like Azure Monitor and Azure Application Insights can help identify performance bottlenecks and guide optimization efforts.

The topic of optimizing performance is crucial in the AZ-120 exam as it directly impacts the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of SAP workloads running on Azure. It relates to several key areas of the exam, including designing and implementing IaaS solutions for SAP workloads, managing and maintaining SAP solutions on Azure, and architecting for performance and scalability. Understanding performance optimization techniques is essential for ensuring that SAP systems meet business requirements and operate efficiently within the Azure environment.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the AZ-120 exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure services and features that can enhance SAP workload performance
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to analyze a given SAP deployment and recommend appropriate optimization strategies
• Case study questions that involve identifying performance bottlenecks and proposing solutions using Azure tools and services
• Drag-and-drop questions matching performance issues with corresponding Azure optimization techniques
• Hot area questions where candidates must select the correct Azure configurations or settings to optimize specific aspects of SAP workload performance

The depth of knowledge required will range from understanding basic Azure concepts to applying advanced optimization techniques in complex SAP environments. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to make informed decisions about VM sizing, storage configurations, networking optimizations, and monitoring strategies to enhance SAP workload performance on Azure.

Migrating SAP workloads to Azure involves the process of moving existing SAP systems and applications from on-premises or other cloud environments to Microsoft Azure. This topic covers various aspects of the migration process, including assessment, planning, and execution. Key sub-topics include determining the appropriate Azure services for SAP workloads, sizing and configuring Azure resources, designing network architecture, and implementing security measures. Candidates should understand the different migration strategies, such as lift-and-shift, re-platform, or re-architect, and be familiar with tools like Azure Migrate, SAP Cloud Appliance Library, and Azure Site Recovery for facilitating the migration process.

This topic is crucial to the AZ-120 exam as it represents a significant portion of the skills measured. Understanding how to migrate SAP workloads to Azure is fundamental for planning and administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads. It ties into other exam topics such as designing Azure infrastructure for SAP workloads, implementing high availability and disaster recovery, and optimizing Azure for SAP workloads. Proficiency in this area demonstrates the candidate's ability to effectively transition SAP environments to the cloud while ensuring performance, scalability, and security.

Candidates can expect a variety of question types on this topic in the actual exam:

• Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of Azure services suitable for SAP workloads and migration tools
• Scenario-based questions requiring candidates to determine the best migration strategy for a given SAP environment
• Case study questions that involve analyzing complex SAP landscapes and proposing appropriate migration plans
• Drag-and-drop questions to order the steps in a migration process
• Hot area questions to identify correct configurations for Azure resources during migration

The depth of knowledge required will range from recall of specific Azure services and tools to the application of concepts in real-world migration scenarios. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of both technical details and broader migration strategies.