I'm looking to get a certification to transition into a sysadmin role, which I've dabbled in a bit so far. I've heard a lot about the AZ-104 being the better choice, but when I look into the study material, it doesn't resonate with me. It seems to heavily emphasize Azure AD and the management of existing resources rather than the creation of new ones. If I'm understanding correctly, both the AZ-800/801 and AZ-104 certifications are considered intermediate levels. So, I'm a bit confused – how do they differ and which one should I really focus on for my goals?
3 Answers
The AZ-800/801 certifications cover quite different subjects. The 800/801 path is focused on hybrid environments, VM computing, and server OS, and honestly, it’s pretty advanced. On the other hand, the AZ-104 dives into various Azure IaaS and PaaS services. While it does touch on Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), that’s just a small segment of the whole course. You'll actually need skills in designing environments and managing them afterward, so it’s not just about managing existing resources.
From what I've seen, the AZ-104 can be pretty tough unless you’re already working a significant amount with Azure. You might encounter a lot of questions that ask you to choose the right option on the portal for various scenarios. On the flip side, the 800 is much heavier on PowerShell scripting. So, if you choose the 800, be prepared to get your hands dirty with scripting!
Honestly, I think using beginner-level Microsoft certifications might not be that beneficial. The 800 and 104 are directed towards different objectives. If you want to go full Azure, the 104 is the way to go. But, if you’re leaning more towards a hybrid setup, then the 800/801 will suit you better. Both have their uses, but keep in mind, building everything from scratch isn’t what you’ll commonly do in practice.
I see what you mean! It feels like both paths are specialized and quite challenging. The AZ-900 is too basic, but the 800 seems really demanding. Is there no certification that sits nicely in between for someone aiming for a sysadmin role, particularly in Windows environments?