Curriculum Overview: Defining Cloud Computing & AZ-900 Fundamentals
Define cloud computing
Curriculum Overview: Defining Cloud Computing & AZ-900 Fundamentals
This curriculum provides a comprehensive introduction to cloud computing concepts, specifically tailored for the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification. It explores the transition from traditional on-premises infrastructure to flexible, provider-managed cloud environments.
Prerequisites
To succeed in this curriculum, learners should ideally possess:
- General IT Knowledge: Basic understanding of how computers and the internet function.
- Networking Basics: Familiarity with terms like "IP Address," "Server," and "Internet Connection."
- Business Awareness: A basic understanding of operational costs vs. capital investments.
- No Coding Required: This is a foundational course; deep programming skills are not necessary.
Module Breakdown
The curriculum is structured into three primary units that progress from abstract concepts to specific Azure implementations.
| Unit | Title | Focus Area | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Cloud Concepts | Definitions, Shared Responsibility, Cloud Models (Public/Private/Hybrid) | Beginner |
| Unit 2 | Azure Architecture | Regions, Availability Zones, Subscriptions, and Core Services | Intermediate |
| Unit 3 | Management & Governance | Cost Management, Security, Monitoring, and Compliance | Intermediate |
Learning Objectives per Module
Unit 1: Describe Cloud Concepts
- Define Cloud Computing: Articulate the delivery of computing services over the internet using a provider-based model.
- Shared Responsibility: Identify which security and maintenance tasks belong to the provider (Microsoft) vs. the customer.
- Cloud Models: Distinguish between Public (shared), Private (dedicated), and Hybrid (combined) environments.
- Economic Benefits: Explain the Consumption-based model where costs are OpEx (Operational Expenditure) rather than CapEx (Capital Expenditure).
Unit 2: Azure Architecture & Services
- Physical Infrastructure: Describe the hierarchy of Datacenters → Availability Zones → Regions.
- Compute & Network: Compare Virtual Machines, Containers, and Serverless functions.
- Storage & Identity: Understand Azure Storage redundancy and Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).
Unit 3: Management & Governance
- Cost Control: Use the Pricing Calculator and understand factors affecting monthly spend.
- Governance: Apply Resource Locks and Azure Policy to prevent accidental deletion or non-compliant resource creation.
Visualizing the Shared Responsibility
The following diagram illustrates how responsibility shifts as you move from on-premises to the cloud.
Success Metrics
To ensure mastery of the material, learners should meet the following benchmarks:
- Conceptual Clarity: Ability to explain the difference between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS using real-world analogies.
- Architecture Mapping: Ability to design a simple high-availability solution using Azure Regions and Availability Zones.
- Cost Estimation: Successfully generating a cost estimate for a small web application using the Azure Pricing Calculator.
- Mock Exam Performance: Scoring 80% or higher on AZ-900 practice assessments.
Real-World Application
Why does this matter in a professional career?
- Business Agility: Companies use the cloud to deploy applications globally in minutes, rather than waiting weeks for physical hardware.
- Disaster Recovery: Using the cloud allows for "Turnkey" backup solutions, ensuring data survival even if a physical location is destroyed.
- Cost Efficiency: By shifting to a consumption-based model, startups can compete with enterprises without needing millions in upfront capital.
[!IMPORTANT] Understanding the Shared Responsibility Model is the single most important factor for security professionals moving to the cloud. Never assume the provider is responsible for your data security!
Cloud Infrastructure Concept
\begin{tikzpicture}[node distance=2cm] \draw[thick, blue] (0,0) circle (1.5cm); \node at (0,0) [align=center] {\textbf{Cloud}\ \textbf{Provider}}; \draw[thick, black, dashed] (4,0) circle (1.2cm); \node at (4,0) [align=center] {\textbf{On-Prem}\ \textbf{Data Center}}; \draw[<->, thick] (1.5,0) -- (2.8,0) node[midway, above] {Internet}; \end{tikzpicture}
Estimated Timeline
- Week 1: Cloud Concepts & Models (Unit 1)
- Week 2: Core Azure Architecture (Unit 2.1 - 2.2)
- Week 3: Storage, Identity, and Security (Unit 2.3 - 2.4)
- Week 4: Governance, Cost Management, and Exam Prep (Unit 3)