🎯 Azure Architect Expert Roadmap (Enhanced with Relevant Courses)

Objective

Become proficient in designing, implementing, and managing solutions on Microsoft Azure, focusing on both enterprise architecture and cloud infrastructure.

Prerequisites:

• Strong background in cloud computing concepts.
• Experience in software development, especially with .NET technologies.
• Knowledge of networking, security, and storage concepts.

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🛠️ Stage 1: Mastering Azure Fundamentals (Weeks 1–4)

✅ Goals:

• Understand Azure cloud architecture and services.
• Learn the basics of Azure networking, compute, and storage.
• Get familiar with the Azure portal, PowerShell, and Azure CLI.

📚 Courses & Resources:

• Microsoft Learn: Azure Fundamentals
  Free, self-paced learning to understand core Azure services.
• Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Certification Prep - Pluralsight This course prepares you for the AZ-900 certification exam.
• Azure for Beginners - YouTube A free beginner-friendly introduction to Azure from Microsoft.
• Introduction to Azure CLI - YouTube Learn the Azure CLI commands and interface.

🔨 Projects:

• Set up a basic Azure resource (Virtual Machines, Web Apps).
• Explore different storage solutions in Azure (Blob, Disk, File).

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🧠 Stage 2: Cloud Architecture Essentials (Weeks 5–8)

✅ Goals:

• Learn how to architect scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions.
• Dive into Azure Virtual Networks, Load Balancers, and Azure Active Directory.

📚 Courses & Resources:

• Architecting Cloud-Native Apps with Azure - Microsoft Learn This helps you learn to architect apps for the cloud in a scalable way.
• Cloud Design Patterns - Pluralsight Learn design patterns for cloud apps.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxYHugyNTP0
• Azure Architecture Center - Microsoft Explore best practices for designing, deploying, and managing solutions on Azure.

🔨 Projects:

• Build a cloud architecture for a multi-tier web app (Front-end, API, Database).
• Configure Azure Active Directory for app authentication and authorization.
• Design a scalable architecture using Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).

☁️ Azure Services:

• Azure VNet, Subnets, VPN Gateway, Load Balancer
• Azure AD, Azure Storage, Azure Firewall

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🔗 Stage 3: Deep Dive into Azure Infrastructure (Weeks 9–12)

✅ Goals:

• Design and implement robust cloud infrastructures.
• Master high availability, disaster recovery, and backup strategies.

📚 Courses & Resources:

• Azure Infrastructure Solutions – Microsoft Learn Learn how to design and implement Azure infrastructure solutions.
• Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking – Pluralsight A deep dive into designing and implementing Azure network solutions.
• Designing Azure Storage Solutions – Microsoft Learn Learn to design and optimize Azure storage solutions.

🔨 Projects:

• Build a highly available architecture using Azure Availability Zones.
• Implement backup and disaster recovery solutions for critical applications.

☁️ Azure Services:

• Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Azure Traffic Manager
• Azure Backup, Site Recovery, Storage Accounts

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🧩 Stage 4: Designing for Security and Identity Management (Weeks 13–16)

✅ Goals:

• Learn to implement advanced security controls.
• Understand Azure identity management using Azure AD, RBAC, and Managed Identities.

📚 Courses & Resources:

• Designing for Security in Azure – Microsoft Learn Understand the design and implementation of security in Azure.
• Azure Security Engineer – Microsoft Learn Prepare for the role of an Azure security engineer, which complements architecture.
• Designing Secure Architectures – Pluralsight Learn to design secure architectures and implement security controls.

🔨 Projects:

• Implement a secure network with network security groups (NSGs) and Azure Firewall.
• Set up Azure AD identity protection and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

☁️ Azure Services:

• Azure Active Directory, Conditional Access, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• Azure Key Vault, Azure Security Center

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🚀 Stage 5: Advanced Topics and Solutions Architecture (Weeks 17–20)

✅ Goals:

• Design and implement solutions at scale for enterprise-level applications.
• Focus on multi-region deployments, scalability, and cloud-native architecture.

📚 Courses & Resources:

• Designing for High Availability and Scalability – Microsoft Learn Learn how to design for high availability and scalability in Azure.
• Azure Solution Architect Expert (AZ-305) – Pluralsight Prepare for the AZ-305 exam by understanding large-scale architecture design.
• Azure Architect Design – Udemy Another great resource for exam preparation.

🔨 Projects:

• Build and deploy a global multi-region architecture using Azure Traffic Manager.
• Implement auto-scaling and fault-tolerant solutions using Azure App Services.

☁️ Azure Services:

• Azure App Service, Virtual Machine Scale Sets, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
• Azure Cosmos DB, Azure SQL Database

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🔧 Stage 6: Specialized Architectures & Industry Solutions (Weeks 21–24)

✅ Goals:

• Get specialized in specific industries or technical areas (e.g., IoT, AI, DevOps).
• Implement cloud-native patterns and hybrid architectures.

📚 Courses & Resources:

• Azure for IoT Solutions – Microsoft Learn Learn how to architect solutions for IoT.
• Implementing AI Solutions on Azure – Microsoft Learn Learn how to implement AI solutions on Azure.
• Azure DevOps Solutions – Pluralsight Learn how to implement CI/CD with Azure DevOps.

🔨 Projects:

• Build an IoT solution using Azure IoT Hub and device communication.
• Implement AI-based business solutions using Azure Cognitive Services.

☁️ Azure Services:

• Azure IoT Hub, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Cognitive Services
• Azure Arc for hybrid cloud solutions

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🚀 Stage 7: Preparing for Azure Architect Certification (Weeks 25–28)

✅ Goals:

• Final preparation for Azure Architect Expert (AZ-305) certification exam.
• Practice through mock exams, and real-world scenarios.

📚 Courses & Resources:

• AZ-305: Designing Azure Infrastructure Solutions – Exam Preparation Directly focused on exam preparation with detailed skills outline.
• Pluralsight: Azure Solutions Architect – Preparation Course In-depth courses for exam prep.

🔨 Projects:

• Review case studies and build your own solutions from scratch.
• Implement cost optimization, performance monitoring, and security audits.

☁️ Azure Services:

• Azure Cost Management, Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor
• Implement monitoring and cost analysis best practices in your solutions.

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✅ Final Outcome (3-Month Goal):

• Expertise in designing and architecting scalable, secure, and cost-efficient Azure solutions.
• Proficient in Azure governance, security, and multi-region architectures.
• Ready to take the AZ-305 Certification Exam.