What are the best beginner-friendly resources for learning Azure and cloud networking?
Asked by
MellowCedar47
Hi everyone, I'm new to cloud computing and want to start learning cloud networking. I already have a solid networking background, but I'm a complete beginner when it comes to Azure and other cloud platforms. What beginner-friendly resources would you recommend, such as video courses, guided labs, or training on YouTube, Udemy, or Coursera? I'm looking for something comparable to well-structured networking courses with clear explanations and hands-on practice.
Answers
If you have access to a paid training platform, Pluralsight is another solid option. It has separate learning paths for roles such as cloud networking, infrastructure engineering, and database administration, so you can choose material that matches your goals. Still, I’d pair it with a free account and practical projects rather than watching courses passively.
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For Azure, Microsoft Learn is probably the best place to start. The courses are free and include interactive exercises where you create resources, use the cloud console, and follow guided labs. The Azure Fundamentals learning path is a good starting point. If you prefer video lessons, John Savill’s Azure videos are excellent and cover both fundamentals and certification topics.
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The most useful approach is to combine structured learning with hands-on work. Create a free Azure account, then practice by hosting a simple webpage, deploying a virtual machine, and learning how to connect to it. Microsoft Learn has follow-along labs that make these exercises easier. Before creating anything, check the pricing calculator and set up a budget alert so you don’t accidentally run up a bill.
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MellowCedar47: A budget alert should definitely be one of the first things I configure. I’d rather learn that lesson before deploying anything expensive.