Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)

Module 1: The Role of the Azure Database Administrator
This module explores the role of a database administrator in Azure. It also provides some foundational information relevant to the overall content. This includes a review of the various SQL Server-based options (SQL Server in a VM, Managed Instances, and Azure SQL Database). Students will learn why compatibility level is a crucial concept when working with SQL databases in Azure. Students are also introduced to other database platforms available on Azure in addition to those based on SQL Server, in particular PostgreSQL and MySQL.

Lessons

• Azure Data Platform Roles
• Azure Database Platforms and Options
• SQL Server Compatibility Levels
• Azure Preview Features

Lab: Using the Azure Portal and SQL Server Management Studio

• Provision a SQL Server on an Azure Virtual Machine
• Connect to SQL Server and Restore a Backup

After completing this module, students will:

• Understand the role of Azure Database Administrator as it fits in with other data platform roles
• Be able to describe the key differences between the SQL Server-based database op
• Be able to describe the difference between versions and compatibility levels
• Know how to turn preview features on and off

Module 2: Plan and Implement Data Platform Resources
This module introduces methods for deploying data platform resources in Azure. You will learn about options for both upgrading and migrating existing SQL databases to Azure. You will learn how to set up Azure resources to host SQL Server on a Virtual Machine, a Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database and either PostgreSQL or MySQL. You will learn how to determine the best options based on specific requirements, including High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) needs. You will learn to calculate resource requirements and create templates for your deployments.

Lessons

• Deploying SQL Server using IaaS
• Deploying SQL Server using PaaS
• Deploying Open Source Database Solutions on Azure

Lab: Deploying Azure SQL Database

• Deploy a VM using an ARM template
• Configure resources needed before creating a database
• Deploy an Azure SQL Database
• Register the Azure SQL Database instance in Azure Data Studio and validate connectivity
• Deploy PostgreSQL or MySQL using a client tool to validate connectivity

After completing this module, students will:

• Deploy resources using manual methods
• Recommend an appropriate database offering based on requirements
• Configure database resources
• Evaluate and implement a strategy for moving a database to Azure

Module 3: Implement a Secure Environment
This module explores practices for securing your SQL Server Database as well as an Azure SQL Database. This includes a review of various SQL Server-based options, as well as Azure options for securing Azure SQL Database and databases that reside within Azure SQL Database. Students will lean why security is crucial when working with databases. . Students are also introduced to other database platforms available on Azure in addition to those based on SQL Server, in particular, Azure Database for MariaDB/MySQL/PostgreSQL.

Lessons

• Configure Database Authentication
• Configure Database Authorization
• Implement Security for Data at Rest
• Implement Security for Data in Transit
• Implement Compliance Controls for Sensitive Data

Lab: Implement a Secure Environment

• Configure a server-based firewall rule using the Azure Portal
• Authorise Access to Azure SQL Database with Azure Active Directory
• Enable Advanced Data Security and Data Classification
• Manage access to database objects

After completing this module, students will:

• Understand the differences between Windows, SQL Server and Azure Active Directory Authentication
• Describe and configure both data-at-rest encryption solutions as well as data-in-transit encryption
• Implement a data sensitivity solution

Module 4: Monitor and Optimise Operational Resources
This module teaches you how to optimise resources for databases created using either IaaS or PaaS services. The module also covers monitoring server and hardware resources. It will familiarise you with the various tools available for monitoring performance and establishing a baseline. You will learn how to interpret performance metrics for the most critical resources. You will also learn how to troubleshoot database performance using Azure SQL Database Intelligent Insights.

Lessons

• Baselines and Performance Monitoring
• Major Causes of Performance Issues
• Configuring Resources for Optimal Performance
• User Database Configuration
• Performance-related Maintenance Tasks

Lab: Monitor and Optimise Resources

• Isolate CPU Problems
• Use Query Store to observe blocking problems
• Detect and correct fragmentation issues

After completing this module, students will:

• Monitor activity and compare to a baseline
• Define maintenance tasks related to performance
• Identify major causes of performance problems
• Configure resources for optimal performance
• Configure a user database for optimal performance

Module 5: Optimise Query Performance
Query execution plans are potentially the most important aspect of database performance. Improving bad plans is certainly an area where a small amount of effort can bring huge improvements. While hardware issues can limit query performance, improving hardware usually yields performance improvements in the 10-20% range, at most. More commonly, database administrators encounter queries that are not optimised, have stale or missing statistics, lack indexes, or reflect poor database design choices that make the database engine do more work than necessary to return results for a given query. Improving the plans can sometimes yield performance improvements in the 100-200% range or even more, meaning that after improving a plan with better indexes or statistics, a query could run twice or three times as fast! This module explains how to analyse individual query performance and identify where improvements can be made.

Lessons

• Understanding SQL Server Query Plans
• Explore Performance-based Database Design
• Evaluate Performance Improvements

Lab: Query Performance Troubleshooting

• Identify issues with database design in AdventureWorks2017
• Isolate problem areas in poorly performing queries in AdventureWorks2017
• Use Query Store to detect and handle regression in AdventureWorks2017
• Use query hints to impact performance in AdventureWorks2017

After completing this module, students will:

• Analyse query plans and identify problem areas
• Evaluate potential query improvements
• Review table and index design
• Determine whether query or design changes have had a positive effect

Module 6: Automation of Tasks
A common goal for database administrators in many environments is to automate as many repetitive tasks as possible. This can be as simple as using scripting to automate a backup process, and as complex as building a fully automated alerting system. This module provides details of automating tasks to simplify the DBA’s job. Methods include scheduling tasks for regular maintenance jobs, multi-instance administration, and configuring notifications for task success, failure, or non-completion.

Lessons

• Setting up Automatic Deployment
• Defining Scheduled Tasks
• Configuring Extended Events
• Managing Azure PaaS resources Using Automated Methods

Lab: Automating Tasks

• Deploy an Azure template from a Quickstart template on GitHub
• Configure notifications based on performance metrics
• Deploy an Azure Automation Runbook (or elastic job) to rebuild indexes on an Azure SQL Database

After completing this module, students will:

• Deploy resources using automated deployment scripts
• Create scheduled tasks
• Create notifications and alerts
• Configure automation for PaaS services

Module 7: Plan and Implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery Environment
Data must be available when the business needs it. That means the solutions hosting the data must be designed with availability and recoverability in mind. Suppose you work for a company that sells widgets both in stores and online. Your main application uses a highly transactional database for orders. What would happen if the server or platform hosting the transactional database had a problem that made it unavailable or inaccessible for some reason? What impact would it have on the business? If the right solution is in place, the database would come online within a reasonable timeframe with minimal effort, allowing the business to continue with little-to-no impact. This module and its associated lab cover configuring, testing, and managing a solution for high availability and disaster recovery (HADR) in Azure, for both Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) deployments. This module will cover not only basic requirements but also the various options available to achieve HADR.

Lessons

• High Availability and Disaster Recovery Strategies
• IaaS Platform and Database Tools for HADR
• PaaS Platform and Database Tools for HADR
• Database Backup and Recovery

Lab: Plan and Implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery Environment

• Enable Geo-Replication for Azure SQL Database
• Backup to URL and Restore from URL

After completing this module, students will understand:

• The difference between recovery time and recovery point objectives
• The available HADR options for both IaaS and PaaS
• The considerations for planning and configuring HADR solutions, including how to back up and restore files
• The factors that comprise a HADR strategy
• How to configure a high availability solution via a hands-on lab

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)

Module 1: The Role of the Azure Database Administrator
This module explores the role of a database administrator in Azure. It also provides some foundational information relevant to the overall content. This includes a review of the various SQL Server-based options (SQL Server in a VM, Managed Instances, and Azure SQL Database). Students will learn why compatibility level is a crucial concept when working with SQL databases in Azure. Students are also introduced to other database platforms available on Azure in addition to those based on SQL Server, in particular PostgreSQL and MySQL.

Lessons

• Azure Data Platform Roles
• Azure Database Platforms and Options
• SQL Server Compatibility Levels
• Azure Preview Features

Lab: Using the Azure Portal and SQL Server Management Studio

• Provision a SQL Server on an Azure Virtual Machine
• Connect to SQL Server and Restore a Backup

After completing this module, students will:

• Understand the role of Azure Database Administrator as it fits in with other data platform roles
• Be able to describe the key differences between the SQL Server-based database op
• Be able to describe the difference between versions and compatibility levels
• Know how to turn preview features on and off

Module 2: Plan and Implement Data Platform Resources
This module introduces methods for deploying data platform resources in Azure. You will learn about options for both upgrading and migrating existing SQL databases to Azure. You will learn how to set up Azure resources to host SQL Server on a Virtual Machine, a Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database and either PostgreSQL or MySQL. You will learn how to determine the best options based on specific requirements, including High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) needs. You will learn to calculate resource requirements and create templates for your deployments.

Lessons

• Deploying SQL Server using IaaS
• Deploying SQL Server using PaaS
• Deploying Open Source Database Solutions on Azure

Lab: Deploying Azure SQL Database

• Deploy a VM using an ARM template
• Configure resources needed before creating a database
• Deploy an Azure SQL Database
• Register the Azure SQL Database instance in Azure Data Studio and validate connectivity
• Deploy PostgreSQL or MySQL using a client tool to validate connectivity

After completing this module, students will:

• Deploy resources using manual methods
• Recommend an appropriate database offering based on requirements
• Configure database resources
• Evaluate and implement a strategy for moving a database to Azure

Module 3: Implement a Secure Environment
This module explores practices for securing your SQL Server Database as well as an Azure SQL Database. This includes a review of various SQL Server-based options, as well as Azure options for securing Azure SQL Database and databases that reside within Azure SQL Database. Students will lean why security is crucial when working with databases. . Students are also introduced to other database platforms available on Azure in addition to those based on SQL Server, in particular, Azure Database for MariaDB/MySQL/PostgreSQL.

Lessons

• Configure Database Authentication
• Configure Database Authorization
• Implement Security for Data at Rest
• Implement Security for Data in Transit
• Implement Compliance Controls for Sensitive Data

Lab: Implement a Secure Environment

• Configure a server-based firewall rule using the Azure Portal
• Authorise Access to Azure SQL Database with Azure Active Directory
• Enable Advanced Data Security and Data Classification
• Manage access to database objects

After completing this module, students will:

• Understand the differences between Windows, SQL Server and Azure Active Directory Authentication
• Describe and configure both data-at-rest encryption solutions as well as data-in-transit encryption
• Implement a data sensitivity solution

Module 4: Monitor and Optimise Operational Resources
This module teaches you how to optimise resources for databases created using either IaaS or PaaS services. The module also covers monitoring server and hardware resources. It will familiarise you with the various tools available for monitoring performance and establishing a baseline. You will learn how to interpret performance metrics for the most critical resources. You will also learn how to troubleshoot database performance using Azure SQL Database Intelligent Insights.

Lessons

• Baselines and Performance Monitoring
• Major Causes of Performance Issues
• Configuring Resources for Optimal Performance
• User Database Configuration
• Performance-related Maintenance Tasks

Lab: Monitor and Optimise Resources

• Isolate CPU Problems
• Use Query Store to observe blocking problems
• Detect and correct fragmentation issues

After completing this module, students will:

• Monitor activity and compare to a baseline
• Define maintenance tasks related to performance
• Identify major causes of performance problems
• Configure resources for optimal performance
• Configure a user database for optimal performance

Module 5: Optimise Query Performance
Query execution plans are potentially the most important aspect of database performance. Improving bad plans is certainly an area where a small amount of effort can bring huge improvements. While hardware issues can limit query performance, improving hardware usually yields performance improvements in the 10-20% range, at most. More commonly, database administrators encounter queries that are not optimised, have stale or missing statistics, lack indexes, or reflect poor database design choices that make the database engine do more work than necessary to return results for a given query. Improving the plans can sometimes yield performance improvements in the 100-200% range or even more, meaning that after improving a plan with better indexes or statistics, a query could run twice or three times as fast! This module explains how to analyse individual query performance and identify where improvements can be made.

Lessons

• Understanding SQL Server Query Plans
• Explore Performance-based Database Design
• Evaluate Performance Improvements

Lab: Query Performance Troubleshooting

• Identify issues with database design in AdventureWorks2017
• Isolate problem areas in poorly performing queries in AdventureWorks2017
• Use Query Store to detect and handle regression in AdventureWorks2017
• Use query hints to impact performance in AdventureWorks2017

After completing this module, students will:

• Analyse query plans and identify problem areas
• Evaluate potential query improvements
• Review table and index design
• Determine whether query or design changes have had a positive effect

Module 6: Automation of Tasks
A common goal for database administrators in many environments is to automate as many repetitive tasks as possible. This can be as simple as using scripting to automate a backup process, and as complex as building a fully automated alerting system. This module provides details of automating tasks to simplify the DBA’s job. Methods include scheduling tasks for regular maintenance jobs, multi-instance administration, and configuring notifications for task success, failure, or non-completion.

Lessons

• Setting up Automatic Deployment
• Defining Scheduled Tasks
• Configuring Extended Events
• Managing Azure PaaS resources Using Automated Methods

Lab: Automating Tasks

• Deploy an Azure template from a Quickstart template on GitHub
• Configure notifications based on performance metrics
• Deploy an Azure Automation Runbook (or elastic job) to rebuild indexes on an Azure SQL Database

After completing this module, students will:

• Deploy resources using automated deployment scripts
• Create scheduled tasks
• Create notifications and alerts
• Configure automation for PaaS services

Module 7: Plan and Implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery Environment
Data must be available when the business needs it. That means the solutions hosting the data must be designed with availability and recoverability in mind. Suppose you work for a company that sells widgets both in stores and online. Your main application uses a highly transactional database for orders. What would happen if the server or platform hosting the transactional database had a problem that made it unavailable or inaccessible for some reason? What impact would it have on the business? If the right solution is in place, the database would come online within a reasonable timeframe with minimal effort, allowing the business to continue with little-to-no impact. This module and its associated lab cover configuring, testing, and managing a solution for high availability and disaster recovery (HADR) in Azure, for both Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) deployments. This module will cover not only basic requirements but also the various options available to achieve HADR.

Lessons

• High Availability and Disaster Recovery Strategies
• IaaS Platform and Database Tools for HADR
• PaaS Platform and Database Tools for HADR
• Database Backup and Recovery

Lab: Plan and Implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery Environment

• Enable Geo-Replication for Azure SQL Database
• Backup to URL and Restore from URL

After completing this module, students will understand:

• The difference between recovery time and recovery point objectives
• The available HADR options for both IaaS and PaaS
• The considerations for planning and configuring HADR solutions, including how to back up and restore files
• The factors that comprise a HADR strategy
• How to configure a high availability solution via a hands-on lab

• Exam duration: 100 minutes
• 40–60 multiple-choice, case study and scenario-based questions
• Passing score: 700 out of 1,000
• Closed-book examination – no reference materials are permitted during the exam

• Exam duration: 100 minutes
• 40–60 multiple-choice, case study and scenario-based questions
• Passing score: 700 out of 1,000
• Closed-book examination – no reference materials are permitted during the exam

• Four days of instructor-led training and exam preparation delivered by an accredited Microsoft trainer
• Official Microsoft course materials, labs and supporting learning resources
• Microsoft certification examination voucher included. Examination vouchers are usually valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue; however, funding rules may require learners funded through schemes such as PLA, ReAct or other government-funded programmes to sit their examination within a shorter timeframe.
• Exam Pass Guarantee – if you do not pass the exam after attending the course, you can retake the same training with NILC at no additional cost. You will only need to pay the examination fee charged by the exam provider. Applies to instructor-led courses only.

• Four days of instructor-led training and exam preparation delivered by an accredited Microsoft trainer
• Official Microsoft course materials, labs and supporting learning resources
• Microsoft certification examination voucher included. Examination vouchers are usually valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue; however, funding rules may require learners funded through schemes such as PLA, ReAct or other government-funded programmes to sit their examination within a shorter timeframe.
• Exam Pass Guarantee – if you do not pass the exam after attending the course, you can retake the same training with NILC at no additional cost. You will only need to pay the examination fee charged by the exam provider. Applies to instructor-led courses only.

Learners attending this course should have a basic understanding of Azure services, database concepts and SQL Server administration. Microsoft recommends knowledge equivalent to the following certifications:

• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
• Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

To get the most from this course, learners should also have:

• A basic understanding of the Azure platform and cloud computing concepts
• Experience working with relational databases and database administration tasks
• Familiarity with Transact-SQL (T-SQL), including writing and executing queries
• An understanding of database security, backup and recovery concepts
• Experience using SQL Server or similar relational database technologies

Learners attending this course should have a basic understanding of Azure services, database concepts and SQL Server administration. Microsoft recommends knowledge equivalent to the following certifications:

• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
• Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

To get the most from this course, learners should also have:

• A basic understanding of the Azure platform and cloud computing concepts
• Experience working with relational databases and database administration tasks
• Familiarity with Transact-SQL (T-SQL), including writing and executing queries
• An understanding of database security, backup and recovery concepts
• Experience using SQL Server or similar relational database technologies