Microsoft Certification 70-475 : Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

Having recently sat and passed Microsoft’s exam 70-475, I thought I’d publish the list of references I built up whilst studying. This is still a relatively new exam, so study materials are hard to come by, just as for exam 70-473. As usual, I also made use of the Mindhub practice exam.

I found it difficult to pin-down specific resources for some of the objective areas, so it’s by no means extensive, but covers a good chunk of the exam content.

I also recommend having some prior knowledge of MS SQL, Hadoop and Azure ecosystems before tackling this exam.

Hope this helps!

1. Design big data batch processing and interactive solutions

• Ingest data for batch and interactive processing

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-lake-store/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-copy-activity-performance
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-data-warehouse/sql-data-warehouse-overview-load

• Ingest from cloud-born or on-premises data,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-lake-store/data-lake-store-data-scenarios

• store data in Microsoft Azure Data Lake,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-azure-datalake-connector#sample-copy-data-from-azure-blob-to-azure-data-lake-store

• store data in Azure BLOB Storage,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-azure-datalake-connector#sample-copy-data-from-azure-data-lake-store-to-azure-blob

• perform a one-time bulk data transfer,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-lake-store/data-lake-store-offline-bulk-data-upload

• perform routine small writes on a continuous basis
• Design and provision compute clusters

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/cindygross/2015/02/26/create-hdinsight-cluster-in-azure-portal/

• Select compute cluster type,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-hadoop-introduction#a-nameoverviewaoverview-of-the-hadoop-ecosystem-in-hdinsight
https://www.blue-granite.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-hdinsight-cluster

• estimate cluster size based on workload

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-provision-clusters

• Design for data security
• Protect personally identifiable information (PII) data in Azure
• encrypt and mask data,
• implement role-based security

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-lake-store/data-lake-store-secure-data

• Design for batch processing

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/batch/batch-technical-overview

• Select appropriate language and tool,
• identify formats,
• define metadata,

Microsoft Azure Batch - slides 46-48

• configure output
• Design interactive queries for big data

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-apache-spark-overview

• Provision Spark cluster,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-apache-spark-jupyter-spark-sql

• set the right resources in Spark cluster,

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/bigdatasupport/2015/08/19/some-things-to-consider-for-your-spark-on-hdinsight-workload/

• execute queries using Spark SQL,
• select the right data format (Parquet),

http://parquet.apache.org/documentation/latest/

• cache data in memory (make sure cluster is of the right size),
• visualize using business intelligence (BI) tools (for example, Power BI, Tableau),

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-apache-spark-use-bi-tools
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-data-warehouse/sql-data-warehouse-integrate-power-bi

• select the right tool for business analysis

2. Design big data real-time processing solutions

• Ingest data for real-time processing

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/stream-analytics/stream-analytics-introduction
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/2/3/623924DE-B083-4561-9624-C1AB62B5F82B/real-time-event-processing-with-microsoft-azure-stream-analytics.pdf
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-storm-sensor-data-analysis - hands-on tutorial

• Select data ingestion technology,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/event-hubs/event-hubs-what-is-event-hubs

• design partitioning scheme,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/event-hubs/event-hubs-what-is-event-hubs#partitions

• design row key of event tables in Hbase

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-hbase-overview
http://www.dummies.com/programming/big-data/hadoop/row-keys-in-the-hbase-data-model/
http://hbase.apache.org/0.94/book/rowkey.design.html

• Design and provision compute resources
• Select streaming technology in Azure,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/stream-analytics/stream-analytics-comparison-storm

• select real-time event processing technology,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/iot-hub/iot-hub-compare-event-hubs

• select real-time event storage technology,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/stream-analytics/stream-analytics-define-outputs

• select streaming units,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/stream-analytics/#
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/stream-analytics/stream-analytics-scale-jobs

• configure cluster size,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-provision-clusters#basic-configuration-options
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-provision-clusters#cluster-types

• assign appropriate resources for Spark clusters,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-apache-spark-resource-manager#what-is-the-optimum-cluster-configuration-to-run-spark-applications
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-apache-spark-resource-manager#how-do-i-know-if-i-am-running-out-of-resource

• assign appropriate resources for HBase clusters,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-hbase-tutorial-get-started#create-hbase-cluster

• utilize Visual Studio to write and debug Storm topologies

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/hdinsight/hdinsight-storm-develop-csharp-visual-studio-topology

• Design for Lambda architecture

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msuspartner/2016/01/27/azure-partner-community-big-data-advanced-analytics-and-lambda-architecture/
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/33626.lambda-architecture-implementation-using-microsoft-azure.aspx
http://lambda-architecture.net/

• Identify application of Lambda architecture,
• utilize streaming data to draw business insights in real time,
• utilize streaming data to show trends in data in real time,
• utilize streaming data and convert into batch data to get historical view,
• design such that batch data doesn’t introduce latency,
• utilize batch data for deeper data analysis
• Design for real-time processing

Real-Time Event & Stream Processing on MS Azure

• Design for latency and throughput,
  • design reference data streams,
  • design business logic,
  • design visualization output

 

3. Design Machine Learning solutions

• Create and manage experiments

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-create-experiment
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-studio-overview-diagram

• Create, manage, and share workspaces;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-walkthrough-1-create-ml-workspace
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-create-workspace

• create training experiment;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-walkthrough-3-create-new-experiment

• select template experiment from Machine Learning gallery

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-sample-experiments

• Determine when to pre-process or train inside Machine Learning Studio
• Select model type based on desired algorithm,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-algorithm-choice

• select technique based on data size

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-data-science-prepare-data

• Select input/output types
• Select appropriate SQL parameters,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-import-data-from-online-sources

• select BLOB storage parameters,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-import-data-from-online-sources#supported-online-data-sources

• identify data sources,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-data-science-import-data

• select HiveQL queries

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-data-science-create-features-hive

• Apply custom processing steps with R and Python

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-python-data-access
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-extend-your-experiment-with-r
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-custom-r-modules

• Visualize custom graphs,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-custom-r-modules#elements-in-the-xml-definition-file
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-execute-python-scripts#working-with-visualizations

• estimate custom algorithms,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-algorithm-choice
http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/6/1/A613E11E-8F9C-424A-B99D-65344785C288/microsoft-machine-learning-algorithm-cheat-sheet-v6.pdf

• select custom parameters,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-web-service-parameters
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-execute-python-scripts#basic-usage-scenarios-in-machine-learning-for-python-scripts

• interact with datasets through notebooks (Jupyter Notebook)

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-gallery-jupyter-notebooks
https://gallery.cortanaintelligence.com/notebooks
https://gallery.cortanaintelligence.com/Notebook/Tutorial-on-Azure-Machine-Learning-Notebook-1

• Publish web services
• Operationalize Azure Machine Learning models,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-publish-a-machine-learning-web-service

• operationalize Spark models using Azure Machine Learning,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-data-science-spark-overview
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-data-science-spark-model-consumption#consume-spark-models-through-a-web-interface

• operationalize custom models

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/machine-learning/machine-learning-model-progression-experiment-to-web-service
 

4. Operationalize end-to-end cloud analytics solutions

• Create a data factory
• Identify data sources,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-introduction#data-movement-activities

• identify and provision data processing infrastructure,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-introduction#data-transformation-activities

• utilize Visual Studio to design and deploy pipelines

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-copy-activity-tutorial-using-visual-studio
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-build-your-first-pipeline-using-vsm
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-build-your-first-pipeline

• Orchestrate data processing activities in a data-driven workflow
• Leverage data-slicing concepts,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-scheduling-and-execution#time-series-datasets-and-data-slices

• identify data dependencies and chaining multiple activities,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-scheduling-and-execution#run-activities-in-a-sequence

• model complex schedules based on data dependencies,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-scheduling-and-execution#data-dependency-deep-dive

• provision and run data pipelines

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-create-pipelines#create-pipelines

• Monitor and manage the data factory
• Identify failures and root causes,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-monitor-manage-app
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-monitor-manage-pipelines

• create alerts for specified conditions,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-monitor-manage-app#creating-alerts
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-monitor-manage-pipelines#create-alerts

• perform a restatement
• Move, transform, and analyze data
• Leverage Pig, Hive, MapReduce for data processing;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-pig-activity
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-hive-activity
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-map-reduce

• copy data between on-premises and cloud;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-move-data-between-onprem-and-cloud
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-data-management-gateway

• copy data between cloud data sources;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-data-movement-activities

• leverage stored procedures;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-stored-proc-activity

• leverage Machine Learning batch execution for scoring, retraining, and update resource;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-azure-ml-batch-execution-activity

• extend the data factory with custom processing steps;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-use-custom-activities

• load data into a relational store

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/data-factory/data-factory-azure-sql-connector

• visualize using Power BI

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-data-warehouse/sql-data-warehouse-integrate-power-bi
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-data-warehouse/sql-data-warehouse-get-started-visualize-with-power-bi

• Design a deployment strategy for an end-to-end solution
• Leverage PowerShell for deployment,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/resourcemanager/azurerm.datafactories/v2.3.0/azurerm.datafactories

• automate deployment programmatically

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-factory-create-data-factories-programmatically
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt415893.aspx
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dn906738.aspx

Copying an Azure Blob snapshot to another storage account using PowerShell

I've been working with Azure Blobs and Snapshots recently. One gripe is that the Azure portal and the various storage explorers don't give you the power to copy a blob snapshot. Blobs, yes, but their snapshots, no.

Depending on your requirements there are many approaches. The PowerShell below gives an example where the snapshot timestamp is extracted from the snapshot URI and then used to obtain an object to the specific snapshot before copying it with the Start-AzureStorageBlobCopy cmdlet.

# Define the source snapshot blob URI
$SrcBlobURI="https://<SOURCE_STORAGE_ACCOUNT>.blob.core.windows.net/vhds/<SOURCE_VHD_PREFIX>.vhd?snapshot=2017-01-24T21:08:36.9371576Z"

# Define the destination storage account and context.
$DestStorageAccountName = "<DESTINATION_STORAGE_ACCOUNT>"
$DestStorageAccountKey = "<DESTINATION_STORAGE_ACCOUNT_KEY>"
$DestContainerName = "<DESTINATION_CONTAINER_NAME>"
$DestContext = New-AzureStorageContext -StorageAccountName $DestStorageAccountName -StorageAccountKey $DestStorageAccountKey

# Determine source snapshot blob container name and context
$SrcDiskInfo = "" | Select StorageAccountName, VHDName, ContainerName
$SrcDiskInfo.StorageAccountName = ($SrcBlobURI -split "https://")[1].Split(".")[0]
$SrcDiskInfo.VHDName = $SrcBlobURI.Split("/")[-1]
$SrcDiskInfo.ContainerName = $SrcBlobURI.Split("/")[3]
$SrcContainerName = $SrcDiskInfo.ContainerName
$SrcStorageAccount = Find-AzureRmResource `
    -ResourceNameContains $SrcDiskInfo.StorageAccountName `
    -WarningAction Ignore
$SrcStorageKey = Get-AzureRmStorageAccountKey `
    -Name $SrcStorageAccount.Name `
    -ResourceGroupName $SrcStorageAccount.ResourceGroupName
$SrcContext = New-AzureStorageContext `
    -StorageAccountName $SrcStorageAccount.Name `
    -StorageAccountKey $SrcStorageKey[0].Value

# Extract timestamp from the Snapshot filename and convert to a datetime
$pre, $post = $SrcBlobURI.split("=")
$snapdt = [uri]::UnescapeDataString($post)
$snapdt = [datetime]::ParseExact( `
    $snapdt,'yyyy-MM-dd"T"HH:mm:ss"."fffffff"Z"',$null `
)

# Get a reference to blobs in the source container.
$blob = Get-AzureStorageBlob -Container $SrcContainerName `
    -Context $SrcContext `
    | Where-Object {`
        $_.ICloudBlob.IsSnapshot `
        -and $_.SnapshotTime -eq $snapdt `
    }

# Copy blobs from one container to another.
$blob | Start-AzureStorageBlobCopy `
    -DestContainer $DestContainerName `
    -DestContext $DestContext `
    -DestBlob "acopy_$($blob.Name)"

Microsoft Certification 70-473 : Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions

I recently passed the Microsoft exam 70-473 "Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions", here's my insight into the certification for anyone else thinking of studying and sitting this exam. I've also included a selection of my most useful links I found whilst looking for relevant online content.

Generally, if you have experience with SQL Server (2008+) then focus your study on hybrid scenarios, HA/DR, auditing, monitoring, security and the differences between SQL Server (on-prem Vs Azure) and Azure SQL Database.

Having some Azure certs already will also give you a small head-start. Also, knowing the different MS tools available and when to use them was key.

With the absence of any MS Exam References and Certification videos my preparation material was based on MSDN, Azure and Technet articles, so lots and lots of online reading. I did find various online videos that dealt with specific aspects of the exam, but in the end I stuck to the docs and took the Mindhub practice exam I had as part of the (no longer available) Microsoft Exam Booster Pack.

I hope these prove useful (Note: not all objective areas have a link, if you find a good one then let me know)...

1. Design and implement database solutions for Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Database (20–25%)

·         Design a hybrid SQL Server solution

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-paas-vs-sql-server-iaas/#microsofts-data-platform

o    Design Geo/DR topology,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-high-availability-dr/#hybrid-it-disaster-recovery-solutions

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-business-continuity/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-designing-cloud-solutions-for-disaster-recovery/

o    design a data storage architecture,

o    design a security architecture,

o    design a data load strategy

·         Implement SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (VMs)

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-server-iaas-overview/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/virtual-machines/sql-server/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-performance/

o    Provision SQL Server in an Azure VM,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-portal-sql-server-provision/

o    configure firewall rules,

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-GB/library/ms175043(v=sql.110).aspx

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/cc646023(v=sql.110).aspx

o    configure and optimise storage,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-server-storage-configuration/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-performance/#storage-guidance

o    migrate an on-premises database to Microsoft Azure,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-migrate-sql/

o    configure and optimise VM sizes by workload

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/storage-premium-storage/#ds-dsv2-and-gs-series-vms

·         Design a SQL Database solution

o    Design a solution architecture,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-paas-vs-sql-server-iaas/

o    design Geo/DR topology,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-business-continuity/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-designing-cloud-solutions-for-disaster-recovery/

o    design a security architecture,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-security-guidelines/

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/ff929188.aspx

o    design a data load strategy,

o    determine the appropriate service tier

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-service-tiers/

·         Implement SQL Database

o    Provision SQL Database,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-get-started/

o    configure firewall rules,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-firewall-configure/

o    configure active geo-replication,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-geo-replication-overview/

o    migrate an on-premises database to SQL Database,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-cloud-migrate/

o    configure for scale and performance

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-elastic-scale-introduction/

·         Design and implement data warehousing on Azure

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-data-warehouse-index-all-articles/

o    Design a data warehousing solution on Azure,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/sql-data-warehouse-overview-develop/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/sql-data-warehouse-tables-overview/

o    design a data load strategy and topology,

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/sqlcat/2016/02/06/azure-sql-data-warehouse-loading-patterns-and-strategies/

o    configure SQL Data Warehouse,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-data-warehouse-overview-manage/

o    migrate an on-premises database to SQL Data Warehouse

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-data-warehouse-migrate-data/

2. Manage database management systems (DBMS) security (25–30%)

·         Design and implement SQL Server Database security

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-security/

o    Configure firewalls;

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc646023.aspx

o    manage logins, users and roles;

http://www.top-password.com/blog/difference-between-sql-server-logins-and-database-users/

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa337552.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb669065(v=vs.110).aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms181127.aspx

o    assign permissions;

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191465.aspx

o    configure auditing;

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc280386.aspx

o    configure transparent database encryption

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-GB/library/bb934049.aspx

·         Implement Azure SQL Database security

o    Configure firewalls;

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-firewall-configure/

o    manage logins, users, and roles;

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-manage-logins/

o    assign permissions;

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt667986.aspx

o    configure auditing;

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-auditing-get-started/

o    configure row-level security;

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dn765131

o    configure data encryption;

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dn948096.aspx

o    configure data masking;

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-dynamic-data-masking-get-started/

o    configure Always Encrypted

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-always-encrypted-azure-key-vault/

3. Design for high availability, disaster recovery and scalability (25–30%)

·         Design and implement high availability solutions

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh781257.aspx

o    Design a high availability solution topology,

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2014/06/19/sql-server-alwayson-availability-groups-supported-between-microsoft-azure-regions/

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh510230.aspx

o    implement high availability solutions between on-premises and Azure,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-high-availability-dr/

o    design cloud-based backup solutions,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-automated-backup/

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dn449496.aspx

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-use-storage-sql-server-backup-restore/

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/jj919148.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dn435916.aspx

o    implement backup and recovery strategies

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187048.aspx

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-sql-backup-recovery/

·         Design and implement scalable solutions

o    Design a scale-out solution,

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa479364.aspx

o    implement multi-master scenarios with database replication,

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms152531.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151832.aspx - Snapshot

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151176.aspx - Transactional

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms152746.aspx - Merge

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151196.aspx - Peer-to-peer

http://devproconnections.com/database-development/sql-server-high-availability-developers-part-4

o    implement elastic scale for SQL Database

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-elastic-scale-introduction/

·         Design and implement SQL Database data recovery

o    Design a backup solution for SQL Database,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-business-continuity/

o    implement self-service restore,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-recovery-using-backups/

o    copy and export databases

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-copy/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-export/

4. Monitor and manage database implementations on Azure (25–30%)

·         Monitor and troubleshoot SQL Server VMs on Azure

o    Monitor database and instance activity,

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms179428.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189081.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh213686.aspx

o    monitor using dynamic management views (DMVs) and dynamic management functions (DMFs),

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188754.aspx

o    monitor performance and scalability

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt643740.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn817826.aspx

·         Monitor and troubleshoot SQL Database

o    Monitor and troubleshoot SQL Database,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-troubleshoot-common-connection-issues/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-troubleshoot-performance/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-troubleshoot-permissions/

o    monitor database activity,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/sql-database/sql-database-advisor

o    monitor using DMVs and DMFs,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-monitoring-with-dmvs/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/sql-database/sql-database-performance-guidance

o    monitor performance and scalability

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-performance/

·         Automate and manage database implementations on Azure

o    Manage SQL Server in Azure VMs with PowerShell,

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/virtual-machines-windows-ps-sql-create/

o    manage Azure SQL Database with PowerShell,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/resourcemanager/azurerm.sql/v2.3.0/azurerm.sql

o    configure Automation and Runbooks

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-manage-automation/

Related Videos

Ignite Exam Prep Session - Channel 9

https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Ignite/2016/BRK3258

Exam Boot Camp - MAPA

https://www.the-mapa.com/PastEventDetails.aspx?SeriesId=fnAAcxXXKPg=&SeriesName=Boot%20Camp%20for%20Exam%2070-473

1.1/3.1 SQL Server HA/DR with Azure

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/platform-for-hybrid-cloud-with-sql-server-2014-jump-start-8256?l=mHFOkXKy_504984382

1.2 Migrate SQL Server to Azure

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/migrating-sql-server-databases-to-azure-16594

1.2 SQL Server in Azure VMs

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/sql-server-in-azure-virtual-machines-developer-jump-start-14240

1.4/4.2 Hybrid Cloud workloads SQL

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/hybrid-cloud-workloads-sql-8326?l=JEG6OOay_6304984382

1.5 Elastic Data Warehouse as-a-service

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/deliver-an-elastic-data-warehouse-as-a-service-14005?l=vQOw1qcrB_1305192797

2.2 Securing data in SQL Database

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/securing-your-data-in-microsoft-azure-sql-database-16076

3.1 Design a scale-out solution

https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/scaling-sqlserver2012-2014-part2

3.2 Elastic Database with Azure SQL Database

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/elastic-database-capabilities-with-azure-sql-db-16554

3.3 Implementing SQL Database Data Recovery

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/implementing-azure-sql-database-data-recovery-10341

4.1 Monitor and Troubleshoot SQL Server

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/administering-microsoft-sql-server-2012-jump-start-8259?l=70lJ0hKy_7704984382

4.3 SQL Server and SQL Database Powershell

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/powershell-for-sql-data-professionals-16532?l=XgA5w0PgC_8805121157

Other Links

General Introduction

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/design-and-implement-cloud-data-platform-solutions-15711?l=jbCdW0j1B_3005244527

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msuspartner/2016/01/22/azure-partner-community-sql-server-and-azure-sql-database/

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/cloud-data

SQL Server on Azure VMs Learning Path

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/learning-paths/sql-azure-vm/

SQL Database Intro

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/windows-azure-sql-database-8280?l=eOml92Wy_3004984382

TechNet SQL Server Reference

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt590198(v=sql.1).aspx

MSDN SQL Server Reference

https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt590198.aspx

SQL Server (2008) Data Loading White Paper

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd425070(v=sql.100).aspx

SQL Server Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT)

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/sqlcat/

SQL Server Solution Design

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/designing-solutions-for-sql-server-8484

Hybrid SQL Server Scenarios

http://www.biztalk360.com/azure-hybrid-integration-day/hybrid-cloud-scenarios-sql-server/

https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Ignite/2015/BRK2554

https://community.dynamics.com/partner/b/msuspartner/archive/2016/05/10/data-amp-analytics-partner-community-hybrid-scenarios-using-sql-server-2016

http://www.imgroup.com/introduction-microsoft-sql-server-2016-part-two/

https://goo.gl/581D4u

http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/7/F/87F5D41A-6252-4B5E-B532-EA3E3706216F/SQL_Server_2016_Hyperscale_Cloud_White_Paper.pdf

Migrate On-prem to Azure VMs

http://www.jamesserra.com/archive/2016/05/migrate-from-on-prem-sql-server-to-azure-vm-iaas/

Training Course

http://itmasterclasses.com/training/courses/design-and-implement-cloud-data-platform-solutions/