The Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate validates candidates’ skills in planning and applying Azure networking solutions. Certified professionals are able to provide solutions for performance, scale, security, and resiliency, as well as are skilled in applying PowerShell, Azure CLI, and Azure ARM templates. In addition, Azure network engineers collaborate with other professionals such as cloud admins, DevOps engineers, security engineers, and solution engineers, app developers to offer Azure solutions. To become certified, candidates have to take one exam AZ-700, which testifies that they possess solid skills in Azure administration and are knowledgeable of networking, network security, and hybrid connection.
The exam AZ-700 is focused on creating and applying Microsoft Azure networking solutions and comprises from 40 to 60 questions. The questions contained will be of various types and can include case studies, hot spot, multiple choice, active screen, mark review, to mention a few. The exam can last for 100 minutes if it goes without labs or 120 minutes if it contains labs. You will need to score 700 points to pass the exam and pay $165 before taking the test. The exam will prove your competence in networking, security, routing, along with private access to Azure services.
As for the exam content, it consists of five parts in which you should be proficient. The first part refers to providing operations with hybrid networking, such as design, usage, and operating. Here, you will deal with a site-to-site VPN connection, point-to-site VPN connection, and Azure ExpressRoute. You should be ready to demonstrate your skills in creating a site-to-site VPN connection for HA, implementing IPsec or IKE policy, solving issues related to virtual network gateway connectivity, applying OpenVPN authentication, RADIUS authentication, and using ExpressRoute properly.
The second topic is centered on designing and applying core networking infrastructure. This implies your skills to use private IP intended for VNets, create and apply name resolution, cross-VNet connectivity, along with an Azure Virtual WAN architecture. So, your skills to create VNet, private DNS zones, apply VNet peering, create a connection unit will be checked.
The third part is dedicated to designing and using routing. This part is designed to validate your skills in using and operating VNet routing, an Azure Load Balancer, and Azure App Gateway. Besides, you should show your mastery of dealing with Azure Front Door, an Azure Virtual Network NAT, and an Azure Traffic Manager profile.
The fourth topic aims to check your skills in securing and monitoring networks. This means that your skills to design, use, and operate an Azure Firewall deployment, as well as network security groups will be evaluated. Apart from that, candidates should possess skills to apply a Web App Firewall deployment, and monitor networks.
In the fifth part, the major emphasis is made on creating and using private access to Azure Services. You should be good at using Azure Private Link service as well as Azure Private Endpoint. Your skills to design and utilize service endpoints will be assessed. In addition, you should be proficient in creating App Service and AKS for regional VNet integration, and providing access to App Service Environment to clients.
So, to pass the AZ-700 exam you have to be proficient in all the topics tested. Having this Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate designation, you can earn on average $118,782 per year, as indicated on the Ziprecruiter website.