Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Implement and Manage Storage

Description

This course on Pluralsight is a specialized, deep-dive training module focused on the storage domain of Microsoft’s official AZ-104 certification exam. Representing approximately 15–20% of the certification blueprint, secure and resilient cloud storage management is a fundamental requirement for any enterprise Azure deployment. Created by veteran cloud consultant Alex Potasnick, this course guides learners through the technical processes of provisioning storage accounts, configuring Blob and Azure Files instances, setting up data replication, and enforcing endpoint security. Through step-by-step video instruction, hands-on portal exercises, and exam-focused tip breakdowns, students build the operational confidence needed to manage cloud data lifecycle workflows and clear key objectives on the AZ-104 exam.

Topics This Course Covers

• Storage Account Provisioning & Configuration: Creating storage accounts, choosing appropriate performance tiers, and configuring redundancy settings (LRS, ZRS, GRS, GZRS).
• Azure Blob Storage Management: Conceptualizing object storage, managing containers, setting up Blob versioning, and automating lifecycle management rules to transition data between access tiers.
• Data Replication & Snapshots: Configuring cross-region object replication, creating and managing file share snapshots, and restoring data to prevent data loss.
• Azure Files Implementation: Deploying and managing Azure File shares, providing identity-based access, and managing network connectivity.
• Storage Access & Endpoint Security: Securing storage accounts using firewalls, generating Shared Access Signatures (SAS URIs), managing access keys, and configuring stored access policies.
• Data Migration Utilities & Exam Tips: Utilizing tools like AzCopy and Azure Storage Explorer alongside targeted exam advice for answering storage scenarios on the test.

Who Will Benefit from Taking This Course

• AZ-104 Certification Aspirants: Candidates looking for focused, domain-specific preparation to master the storage objective area (15–20%) of the official Microsoft exam.
• Systems Administrators & Cloud Engineers: Infrastructure specialists responsible for managing corporate storage, file shares, and backup configurations on Microsoft Azure.
• Storage & Security Specialists: IT professionals seeking to implement security policies, access keys, and network boundaries around enterprise cloud data assets.
• Pluralsight Path Learners: Technologists progressing through the broader Pluralsight AZ-104 learning path who want to master storage administration before moving to compute and networking domains.

Why Take This Course

Data storage forms the operational backbone of every enterprise application, making proper configuration, security, and cost management critical skills for cloud administrators. Taking this course allows you to concentrate deeply on these core responsibilities—such as configuring SAS tokens, setting up object replication, and automating blob lifecycle policies—without getting sidetracked by unrelated topics. Author Alex Potasnick pairs clear architectural theory with practical, step-by-step portal walkthroughs and interactive skill-assessment scenarios. By mastering how to optimize storage costs, protect sensitive data, and troubleshoot configuration issues, you build both the practical workplace expertise needed to manage enterprise data and the test-taking precision required to pass a crucial section of the AZ-104 exam.