Introduction to AZ-120 Exam
The AZ-120: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads exam is designed for IT professionals who specialize in deploying and managing SAP solutions on Microsoft Azure. This certification validates expertise in planning, implementing, and maintaining SAP workloads in the Azure cloud environment.
Exam Details:
- Exam Code: AZ-120
- Exam Duration: 120 minutes
- Number of Questions: 40-60
- Passing Score: 700/1000
- Exam Cost: $165 USD
Who Should Take This Exam?
- Azure administrators working with SAP
- SAP Basis administrators
- Cloud architects specializing in SAP deployments
- IT professionals managing hybrid SAP environments
2. Overview of Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads
Microsoft Azure provides a robust platform for running SAP applications, including SAP HANA, SAP S/4HANA, and SAP NetWeaver. Azure offers:
- Scalability: On-demand resources for SAP workloads.
- High Availability: Built-in redundancy and failover mechanisms.
- Security: Compliance with SAP and enterprise security standards.
- Cost Efficiency: Pay-as-you-go pricing models.
3. Key Concepts in AZ-120 Exam
The AZ-120 exam covers several critical topics:
A. Azure Infrastructure for SAP
- Virtual Machines (VMs) for SAP
- Storage options (Premium SSDs, Ultra Disks)
- Networking (Azure Virtual Network, ExpressRoute)
B. SAP Deployment Models
- Single-Tier Deployment: All components on one VM.
- Multi-Tier Deployment: Separate VMs for DB, application, and presentation layers.
C. SAP HANA on Azure
- HANA Large Instances (HLI)
- HANA on Azure VMs
D. Migration Strategies
- Lift-and-shift
- Replatforming
- Refactoring
4. Planning SAP on Microsoft Azure
A. Assessing SAP Workload Requirements
- Compute Needs: vCPU, RAM, and SAPS (SAP Application Performance Standard).
- Storage Requirements: IOPS, throughput, and latency.
- Network Bandwidth: Low-latency connectivity for SAP applications.
B. Choosing the Right Azure Services
- Azure Virtual Machines: M-series for SAP HANA, E-series for SAP NetWeaver.
- Azure Storage: Premium SSDs for high-performance workloads.
- Azure NetApp Files: For SAP HANA data volumes.
C. Licensing and Cost Optimization
- Bring Your Own License (BYOL) for SAP on Azure.
- Azure Hybrid Benefit for cost savings.
- Reserved Instances for long-term workloads.
5. Deploying SAP Solutions on Azure
A. Setting Up Azure for SAP
1. Create a Resource Group
2. Configure Virtual Networks (VNet)
3. Deploy Azure VMs for SAP
4. Attach Storage Disks
B. Installing SAP Software
- SAP HANA Installation
- SAP NetWeaver Deployment
- SAP LaMa (Landscape Management)
C. Post-Deployment Configuration
- SAP System Copy
- Integration with Azure Monitor
- Backup and Restore Setup
6. Administering SAP Workloads on Azure
A. Managing SAP Systems
- Starting/Stopping SAP Instances
- User and Role Management
- Patch and Update Management
B. Performance Tuning
- Optimizing Database Performance
- Memory and CPU Adjustments
- Storage Performance Optimization
C. Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Network Latency Problems
- SAP Application Errors
- Storage Bottlenecks
7. Monitoring and Optimization
A. Azure Monitoring Tools
- Azure Monitor
- Log Analytics
B. Performance Optimization
- Auto-scaling for SAP VMs
- Cost Optimization with Azure Advisor
- Right-Sizing VMs
8. Security and Compliance for SAP on Azure
A. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Azure Active Directory (AAD) Integration
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
B. Data Security
- Encryption at Rest & in Transit
- Azure Key Vault for SAP Credentials
C. Compliance Standards
- SAP Certified Infrastructure
- GDPR, ISO, and HIPAA Compliance
9. Disaster Recovery and High Availability
A. High Availability (HA) Setup
- Azure Availability Sets & Zones
- Pacemaker for SAP HANA HA
B. Disaster Recovery (DR) Strategies
- Azure Site Recovery (ASR)
- Backup with Azure Backup Service
10. AZ-120 Exam Preparation Tips
- Study Official Microsoft Documentation
- Hands-on Practice with Azure SAP Workloads
- Take Practice Tests (AZ-120 Dumps for Familiarity)
11. Best Practices for Passing AZ-120
Understand SAP Architecture on Azure
Practice Real-World Scenarios
Review Azure Pricing and Licensing
Take Mock Exams Before the Real Test
12. Conclusion
The AZ-120 exam is a valuable certification for professionals working with SAP on Microsoft Azure. By mastering planning, deployment, administration, and optimization of SAP workloads, you can ensure high-performance, secure, and cost-efficient SAP solutions in the cloud.
For success, combine hands-on experience, study materials, and practice tests to confidently pass the AZ-120 exam.
Final Notes:
- Always refer to Microsoft’s official AZ-120 Exam Dumps guide for updates.
Good luck with your AZ-120 certification journey!
The Exam: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads validates skills in deploying SAP solutions on Azure. It covers architecture, migration, and management. For effective preparation, use reliable study materials and practice tests. DumpsArena offers helpful resources to ace this exam. Boost your Azure SAP expertise with structured learning!
Get Accurate & Authentic 500+ AZ-120 Exam Dumps
Question 1
Which Azure service is specifically optimized for running SAP HANA in-memory databases?
A) Azure Virtual Machines (VMs)
B) Azure NetApp Files
C) Azure Large Instances (HANA Large Instances - HLI)
D) Azure SQL Database
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of using Azure Proximity Placement Groups (PPGs) for SAP workloads?
A) To reduce latency between VMs by placing them in the same datacenter rack
B) To automatically scale SAP application servers based on demand
C) To encrypt SAP data at rest
D) To reduce Azure subscription costs
Question 3
Which Azure storage option is recommended for SAP HANA data volumes to ensure high performance and low latency?
A) Azure Standard HDD
B) Azure Ultra Disk Storage
C) Azure Blob Storage
D) Azure Archive Storage
Question 4
When deploying SAP on Azure, which of the following is a key consideration for high availability (HA)?
A) Using Availability Sets for SAP application servers
B) Storing backups in the same region as production
C) Disabling Azure Monitor for SAP
D) Running all VMs on a single physical host
Question 5
Which Azure feature helps monitor and optimize SAP workloads by providing performance insights?
A) Azure Cost Management
B) Azure Monitor for SAP Solutions
C) Azure Security Center
D) Azure Policy
