Cloud Certifications: Azure Database Administrator Associate

While database administration isn't anything new, there has been a significant shift to the cloud in recent years and much more is to follow. Cloud-based database solutions have been multiplying. Organizations like to hold on to more data, and for longer. The cloud provides limitless capabilities, both in storing as well as processing your data. Administering this data is the challenge, and that is where you come in. As an Azure Database Administrator you will be managing this data for your organization.

In this guide you will learn about the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate certification and the exam you can take to achieve it.

The Azure Database Administrator Associate certification follows Microsoft's departure from more broad certifications like the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or its older sibling, the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). Nowadays the focus is on specific roles. Please note that this exam is currently in beta.

As the name suggests, this certification has "database administration" written all over it, specifically Azure database offerings and features. Since it is an Associate-level certification the required exam covers a wide range of database topics and technologies.

As a candidate for the Azure Database Administrator Associate certification you should be an experienced database administrator or data management specialist who can manage on-premises and cloud relational databases built on top of SQL Server and Azure Data Services.

As an Azure Database Administrator you implement and manage the operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions built on Azure Data Services and SQL Server. The Azure Database Administrator uses a variety of methods and tools to perform day-to-day operations, including applying knowledge of using T-SQL for administrative management purposes.

This role is responsible for management, availability, security and performance monitoring and optimization of modern relational database solutions. This role works with the Azure Data Engineers to manage operational aspects of data platform solutions.

A single exam is required to gain the Azure Database Administrator Associate certification. It is important to understand that Microsoft has taken up the practice of retiring and replacing exams at a much faster pace than in the past. Since the cloud is ever changing Microsoft updates live exams frequently. The DP-300 exam is currently in beta so be prepared for changes to its syllabus before its full release.

The price for the exam is US$165/€165. Microsoft offers a student discount if you verify your academic status when booking the exam by using one of the following: a school email account, a school account, an International Student Identity Card, a verification code. Alternatively you can also supply documentation proving your eligibility for the student discount.

While there are no specific prerequisites to achieving this certification beyond passing the DP-300 exam, it is worth noting that experience with the required skills is key to a successful experience. Having passed the DP-900 Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals exam and achieved the corresponding Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals certification, while not mandatory, will help you prepare for this level since it introduces a number of technologies covered in the DP-300 exam.

Ensure that you possess sufficient experience and invest the time to go through the relevant Pluralsight courses and other resources.

Your skills will be measured in the following seven categories:

These categories are broken down into details as follows:

Deploy resources by using manual methods

Recommend an appropriate database offering based on specific requirements

Configure resources for scale and performance

Evaluate a strategy for moving to Azure

Implement a migration or upgrade strategy for moving to Azure

Configure database authentication by using platform and database tools

Configure database authorization by using platform and database tools

Implement security for data at rest

Implement security for data in transit

Implement compliance controls for sensitive data

Monitor activity and performance

Implement performance-related maintenance tasks

Identify performance-related issues

Configure resources for optimal performance

Configure a user database for optimal performance

Review query plans

Evaluate performance improvements

Review database table and index design

Create scheduled tasks

Evaluate and implement an alert and notification strategy

Manage and automate tasks in Azure

Recommend an HADR strategy for a data platform solution

Test an HADR strategy by using platform, OS and database tools

Perform backup and restore a database by using database tools

Configure DR by using platform and database tools

Configure HA using platform, OS and database tools

Examine system health

Monitor database configuration by using T-SQL

Perform backup and restore a database by using T-SQL

Manage authentication by using T-SQL

Since this is a very new exam and it is still in beta there currently are no Pluralsight learning resources available. Make sure you regularly check Pluralsight's website for updates.

Following Microsoft's MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration might start you off in the right direction.

Utilizing Microsoft Docs and navigating to the relevant topics will also enable you to prepare for this exam.

The cloud business has been booming in the last several years. Microsoft has closed the gap with its main competitor and keeps growing. While COVID-19 has affected everyone in some way, it certainly doesn't seem to have had a negative impact on Microsoft's cloud growth.

Gaining an up-to-date certification like the Azure Database Administrator Associate certification from a household name like Microsoft should make you much more attractive to both your current and future employers, especially since the cloud is booming. Your current employer might not raise your salary, but the next time you go looking for a job make sure you check trusted Internet sources for up-to-date information on salaries in your region.

It's difficult to provide absolute figures because they will depend on numerous factors like your experience, company type and size, industry, and region. Expect salaries for experienced database administrators to range from US$80,000 to US$135,000 in the United States.

As an Associate-level certification, gaining the Azure Database Administrator Associate credentials, while challenging, would earn you the recognition to prove that you are a subject matter expert in this field. All it takes is a single exam. Sign up to Microsoft Azure, utilize the free cloud credits and services and book the exam, which you can take right in your home or in one of many testing centers.

I hope that this guide is useful and wish you good luck with gaining your certification.