Azure Certification: Overview, Career Advantages, and Steps to Achieve Certification

June 17th, 2025, posted in Microsoft, Uncategorized
Share

Achieving Azure certification can enhance your cloud computing career by demonstrating your understanding of cloud fundamentals, as well as Azure’s services, architecture, governance, and management. This guide will explore what the certification entails, its demand in the job market, the benefits it offers, and the steps to obtain Azure certification.

What is Azure certification?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform designed for IT professionals, developers, and specialists in data and artificial intelligence (AI) who operate within the Microsoft cloud ecosystem. Azure certifications provide training on utilizing various cloud-based services, enhancing your job prospects or helping you advance in your career. Microsoft categorizes Azure certifications into three tiers: Fundamentals, Associate, and Expert. Additionally, there are Specialty certifications available, including Cosmos DB Developer and Virtual Desktop.

Are Azure certifications in demand ?

Cloud computing is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of companies seeking certified Azure administrators, solution architects, developers, and security engineers. Consequently, Azure certifications are in high demand. The Flexera 2023 State of the Cloud Report indicates that Azure remains the leading cloud provider, closely followed by AWS.

Azure certification Benefits

The advantages of Azure certification include opportunities for career advancement, access to diverse job options, the potential for higher salaries, enhanced skills, and better security solutions for your employer. Let’s explore how obtaining Azure certification can provide these benefits.

Growth In Career

Whether you’re currently working in cloud computing or aiming to enter the field, Azure certification can significantly enhance your career prospects. These certifications are among the most sought after in IT today, helping you secure better job opportunities or advance to higher positions within your organization.

Flexible career pptions

A Microsoft Azure certification opens up numerous career opportunities, allowing you to become a cloud architect, developer, or solution architect. Additionally, this certification enables you to work across various industries and locations.

Companies across various industries are migrating to the cloud due to the advantages in storage, computing, and networking. An Azure certification can open doors to roles in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and entertainment. Furthermore, many certified Azure professionals find opportunities in locations like France, the UK, the United States, and beyond.

Increase Higher Earning

If you pursue an Azure certification at the Fundamentals level, you could earn an average hourly wage of up to $79.81, according to ZipRecruiter. Additionally, data from Glassdoor indicates that Azure certification can enhance your earning potential. For instance, Azure cloud architects have an average annual salary of $133,721 in the US. Here are the salaries for other Azure-certified cloud roles in the US :

  • Azure DevOps engineer: $126,096
  • Azure cloud engineer: $119,342
  • Azure data engineer: $120,387

More specific skill set

The more you know about cloud computing, the more competitive you’ll be in the job market. As highlighted in the salary figures mentioned earlier, individuals with advanced Azure skills tend to earn higher compensation. Azure certification can help you enhance your expertise in areas like artificial intelligence and machine learning. 

The certification exams assess various skills, including knowledge of cloud concepts and an understanding of Azure’s core architectural components. Additional skills covered include Azure identity, access and security, as well as governance and compliance.

Improved security 

Becoming certified can enhance your company’s cloud security by keeping you informed about the latest trends and options. Renewing your certifications ensures you stay updated on changes and new technologies. This increased security awareness makes you more appealing to employers, particularly for roles focused on cloud security.

Azure certification path

If you’re new to Azure, begin with a Fundamentals exam relevant to your career. After that, you can explore various Associate and Specialty Azure certifications. Ultimately, demonstrate your expertise to current or potential employers by obtaining Expert-level Azure certifications.

Explore the certifications in the table below: 

CertificationLevelWhat it’s best for
Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)FundamentalsDemonstrating your AI skills on the cloud and the services Azure can offer in this area
Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)FundamentalsDeveloping a strong foundation in the core concepts of data and data analytics
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)FundamentalsDemonstrating your knowledge of cloud concepts, models, and services and showing your expertise in Azure
Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)AssociateBuilding on subject matter expertise managing an organization’s Microsoft Azure environment
Azure AI Engineer Associate (AZ-102)AssociateLearning to build, manage, and deploy AI solutions within Azure
Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203)AssociateStoring and using datasets for analysis and managing data pipelines and data stores
Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)AssociateWorking with data in the cloud
Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)AssociateExploring data science and using Azure Machine Learning and Azure Databricks
Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)AssociateManaging the operational aspects of data platform solutions built with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services
Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)AssociateBuilding on your cloud developer experience and learning about developing Azure computing and storage
Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate (DP-500)AssociateBuilding expertise in data analytics solutions, including how to design, create, and deploy them
Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700)AssociateValidating your knowledge and skills in Azure network solutions planning, implementation, and maintenance
Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)AssociatePlanning and implementing cloud-based management and security; building on your experience in code, security operations processes, cloud capabilities, and Azure services
Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate (AZ-600)AssociateEnhancing your skills in providing platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) using Azure Stack Hub
Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)ExpertBuilding on your experience as an infrastructure administrator or developer, with expertise in DevOps, Azure administration, or development
Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)ExpertBuilding on your expertise in designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, as well as your advanced experience and knowledge in IT operations, Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes

Azure Specialty Certifications:

• Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty (AZ-720)
• Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420)
• Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140)
• Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220)
• Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120)

How to become Azure certified

Begin your journey to Azure certification by fulfilling the prerequisites for your desired certification level. Next, register for and complete the certification exam. To maintain your certification, remember to renew it annually.

1. Get develop and doing the training of relevant skills.

You can discover Azure courses and training online from various providers. For instance, Coursera offers Azure training courses, including the AZ-900 exam prep specialization, which covers cloud computing, Azure tools and services, security, cloud governance, and more.

Microsoft provides a range of self-paced content for all certification levels and specialty exams. These online learning paths include videos and lessons designed to help you prepare for the certification exam. You can complete these courses for free, or opt for instructor-led classes for a fee.

Microsoft also organizes free events known as Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Days. You can select which events to attend based on your skill level and interests. After completing the related Fundamentals training sessions, you can take the corresponding certification exams for free: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, Microsoft AI Fundamentals, and Microsoft Data Fundamentals.

Important note:

Regardless of the training courses you choose, whether from Microsoft or other providers, you must complete and pass Microsoft’s examination to achieve Azure certification.

2. Meet the prerequisites for each level.

Each Azure certification outlines recommended skills to acquire before taking the exam. Microsoft’s self-paced or instructor-led content, along with third-party courses, can assist you in gaining the essential skills needed to prepare for the certification exams.

The Fundamentals and Associate certification levels don’t have formal prerequisites, but Microsoft suggests the following steps before attempting an exam :

  • Have a complete understanding of the skills the exam measures.
  • For Associate-level exams, have experience in the tested skills.
  • Take a practice exam provided by Microsoft.
  • Use Microsoft Azure with a trial subscription.
  • Take advantage of Microsoft’s learning resources to prepare.

Azure Expert certifications come with prerequisites. To qualify for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert exam, you must first complete the Azure Administrator Associate exam. For the Azure DevOps Engineer Expert exam, you need to have completed either the Azure Administrator Associate or the Azure Developer Associate exam.

3. Pass the certification exam.

Each certification is linked to an exam that you must pass. All technical exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 1,000, with a passing score set at 700 or higher.

4. Maintain your credentials.

Renewing your certification ensures you stay updated on the latest developments in Azure. Fundamentals-level certifications do not require renewal, as they do not expire. To renew your Associate and Expert certifications, you can pass the free online renewal assessment available on Microsoft Learn. These renewal exams focus only on questions about updates in Azure or related technologies from the past year.

Share
read more no comments

Adding and Configuring New Network Interface in Solaris 10

May 19th, 2025, posted in Solaris
Share

Query all interface information :

ifconfig -a
lo0: flags=2001000849 mtu 8232 index 1
inet 127.0.0.1 netmask ff000000
e1000g0: flags=1000843 mtu 1500 index 2
inet 192.168.1.1 netmask ffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
ether 0:c:29:21:12:f5

Plumb all interfaces

bash-3.2# ifconfig -a plumb
ifconfig: SIOCSLIFNAME for ip: e1000g0: already exists
bash-3.2#

Query again and you will see newly added network interface

bash-3.2# ifconfig -a
lo0: flags=2001000849 mtu 8232 index 1
inet 127.0.0.1 netmask ff000000
e1000g0: flags=1000843 mtu 1500 index 2
inet 192.168.1.1 netmask ffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
ether 0:c:29:21:12:f5
e1000g1: flags=1000842 mtu 1500 index 3
inet 0.0.0.0 netmask 0
ether 0:c:29:21:12:ff
bash-3.2#

Configure new interface

bash-3.2# ifconfig e1000g1 10.10.10.1 netmask 255.255.255.0 up
bash-3.2# ifconfig -a
lo0: flags=2001000849 mtu 8232 index 1
inet 127.0.0.1 netmask ff000000
e1000g0: flags=1000843 mtu 1500 index 2
inet 192.168.1.1 netmask ffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
ether 0:c:29:21:12:f5
e1000g1: flags=1000843 mtu 1500 index 3
inet 10.10.10.1 netmask ffffff00 broadcast 10.10.10.255
ether 0:c:29:21:12:ff

Make changes permanent

bash-3.2# ls -ltr /etc/hostname*
-rw-r–r–   1 root     root           9 Jan 31 06:12 /etc/hostname.e1000g0

Create file for new interface e1000g1

bash-3.2# gedit /etc/hostname.e1000g1
bash-3.2# ls -ltr /etc/hostname*
-rw-r–r–   1 root     root           9 Jan 31 06:12 /etc/hostname.e1000g0
-rw-r–r–   1 root     root          14 Jan 31 06:46 /etc/hostname.e1000g1

reboot machine

bash-3.2# reboot
Share
read more no comments

Hope Its A Happy Birthday

March 7th, 2025, posted in DAtEs iN a YeAR
Share
Share
read more no comments

Failure of Web Server bridge: No backend server available for connection: timed out after 10 seconds or idempotent set to OFF or method not idempotent.

February 2nd, 2025, posted in Oracle EBS Application
Share

EBS Forms in our financial applications suddenly does not work. The message on the webpage is

Failure of Web Server bridge:
No backend server available for connection: timed out after 10 seconds or idempotent set to OFF or method not idempotent.

The error message does not tell the true problem. When checking into services on OS level, I saw Oracle EBS Forms service was not running and also saw errors from startup script $ADMIN_SCRIPTS_HOME/adstrtal.sh:

Forms service failed to start. 
The Node Manager is already up.

ERROR: Unable to start up the managed server forms_server1
Server specific logs are located at $EBS_DOMAIN_HOME/servers/forms_server1/logs
05/13/24-20:56:26 :: admanagedsrvctl.sh: exiting with status 1

Java error exists in Forms log file $EBS_DOMAIN_HOME/servers/forms_server1/logs/forms_server1.out

<May 13, 2024 8:56:25 PM EDT> <Emergency> <Store> <BEA-280060> <The persistent store "_WLS_forms_server1" encountered a fatal error, and it must be shut down: weblogic.store.PersistentStoreFatalException: [Store:280020]There was an error while reading from the log file
weblogic.store.PersistentStoreFatalException: [Store:280020]There was an error while reading from the log file
        at weblogic.store.io.file.FileStoreIO.open(FileStoreIO.java:128)
        at weblogic.store.internal.PersistentStoreImpl.recoverStoreConnections(PersistentStoreImpl.java:435)
        at weblogic.store.internal.PersistentStoreImpl.open(PersistentStoreImpl.java:423)
        at weblogic.store.admin.AdminHandler.activate(AdminHandler.java:126)
        at weblogic.store.admin.FileAdminHandler.activate(FileAdminHandler.java:207)
        Truncated.
Caused By: java.io.EOFException: premature EOF: expected=512, actual=126
        at weblogic.store.io.file.StoreFile.readBulk(StoreFile.java:316)
        at weblogic.store.io.file.Heap.readStoreFile(Heap.java:1142)
        at weblogic.store.io.file.Heap.getNextRecoveryFile(Heap.java:1226)
        at weblogic.store.io.file.Heap.open(Heap.java:373)
        at weblogic.store.io.file.FileStoreIO.open(FileStoreIO.java:117)
        Truncated.

Seems WebLogic failed to open a file, but the log did not say which file. I knew that Linux Admins just did server maintenance and rebooted server after they applied monthly patches and Security updates on OS level. That was the only change in the application environment recently.

After searching around, I found the Java errors match the description in Oracle Doc ID 3017110.1 ( Managed Forms Server Fails To Start - Displaying Message: FAILED_NOT_RESTARTABLE - ERROR: The persistent store "_WLS_forms_server1" could not be deployed: weblogic.store.PersistentStoreFatalException [Store:280020] ).

The document points out the problem is caused by CrowdStrike, which locks a Forms file in $EBS_DOMAIN_HOME/servers/forms_server#/data/store/default.
CrowdStrike is installed in /opt/CrowdStrike. It is owned by root, and it is running constantly on the Linux server.

$ ps -ef | grep falcon-sensor
root 1081 1079 0 May13 ? 00:22:23 falcon-sensor

1. Delete/rename below .DAT file (I guess CrowdStrike does not like the file name and so locks it)

    $ cd $EBS_DOMAIN_HOME/servers/forms_server1/data/store/default
    $ ls -altr
    total 1028
    drwxr-xr-x 4 user group 40 Sep 13 2023 ..
    -rw-r--r-- 1 user group 1049088 May 13 20:51 _WLS_FORMS_SERVER1000000.DAT
    drwxr-xr-x 2 user group 42 May 13 20:56 .
    $ rm _WLS_FORMS_SERVER1000000.DAT

    2. Re-start services cleanly by

    $ADMIN_SCRIPTS_HOME/adstrtal.sh
    Or
    $ADMIN_SCRIPTS_HOME/admanagedsrvctl.sh start forms_server1

    The permanent fix is that the Secure team rolls back the CrowdStrike change (and applies it again until CrowdStrike fixes the problem), because its new update touches an Oracle Forms data file wrongly during its scan.

    Share
    read more no comments
    « Older Entries