AZ-104 Azure Administrator Tutorial for Beginners 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

This hands-on AZ-104 Azure Administrator tutorial takes you from absolute beginner to your first working project in AZ-104. Follow each step sequentially — by the end, you will have practical skills and a foundation to build upon for job-ready proficiency.

What you will build: A complete working project using AZ-104 Azure Administrator tools and best practices.

Prerequisites

Azure free account (12 months free tier), basic networking concepts, command line familiarity

What You Will Learn

• Core concepts and terminology of AZ-104
• Setting up your development/work environment from scratch
• Hands-on implementation following industry best practices
• Building a real project step-by-step
• Troubleshooting common issues beginners face
• Next steps for advancing toward job-ready skills

AZ-104 Azure Administrator Tutorial: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Set Up Azure Subscription and Explore the Portal

Create a free Azure account (₹13,300 credit for 30 days + 12 months free services). Navigate the Azure Portal: resource groups, subscriptions, Azure Active Directory. Install Azure CLI (az login) and Azure PowerShell module. Create your first resource group: az group create --name myRG --location centralindia. Understand the hierarchy: Management Group → Subscription → Resource Group → Resource.

Step 2: Configure Azure AD (Entra ID) Users, Groups, and RBAC

Create users in Azure AD, assign them to groups, and apply RBAC roles. Practice: create a user, create a security group, assign the Contributor role at resource group scope. Test by logging in as that user — they should be able to create resources in that RG but not others. Understand: Owner vs Contributor vs Reader, custom roles, and deny assignments.

Step 3: Deploy and Manage Virtual Machines

Create a Linux VM: choose size, configure networking (VNet, subnet, NSG, public IP), set authentication (SSH key). Connect via SSH. Create a Windows VM with RDP access. Practice: resize a VM, add data disks, configure backup, set up auto-shutdown. Understand availability sets vs availability zones vs VMSS for high availability. Monitor with Azure Monitor.

Step 4: Configure Azure Storage (Blob, File, Table, Queue)

Create a storage account (Standard LRS). Upload blobs via portal and CLI (az storage blob upload). Configure: access tiers (hot/cool/archive), lifecycle management rules, blob versioning, soft delete. Create an Azure File Share and mount it. Set up: shared access signatures (SAS), stored access policies, and storage firewalls. Understand replication options (LRS/ZRS/GRS).

Step 5: Build Virtual Networks, NSGs, and Peering

Create two VNets in different regions. Configure subnets. Create NSGs with rules (allow SSH from your IP, deny all other inbound). Set up VNet peering to connect both networks. Deploy a VM in each VNet and verify connectivity via private IP. Configure service endpoints for storage. This hands-on builds deep understanding of Azure networking.

Step 6: Implement Azure Load Balancer and Application Gateway

Deploy two web server VMs behind a public Azure Load Balancer. Configure health probes, load balancing rules, and NAT rules. Test failover by stopping one VM. Then deploy Application Gateway with URL-based routing: /app1 → backend pool 1, /app2 → backend pool 2. Configure WAF rules. Understand when to use each (L4 vs L7).

Step 7: Automate with ARM Templates and Azure CLI Scripts

Export an existing resource as ARM template. Understand the structure: parameters, variables, resources, outputs. Modify and redeploy. Create a template from scratch that deploys: VNet + subnet + NSG + VM. Use az deployment group create to deploy. Parameterise for different environments (dev/staging/prod). This is Infrastructure as Code — critical for the exam.

Step 8: Configure Monitoring, Alerts, and Backup

Set up Azure Monitor: enable diagnostics on VMs, configure Log Analytics workspace, write basic KQL queries. Create metric alerts (CPU > 80% for 5 minutes → email notification). Configure Azure Backup: create Recovery Services vault, define backup policy, perform backup and test restore. Set up action groups that notify your team when issues occur.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

1. Skipping the fundamentals: Rushing to advanced topics without understanding core concepts leads to confusion later
2. Not practising hands-on: Reading without doing builds false confidence — type every command yourself
3. Copy-pasting without understanding: Always understand WHY something works, not just that it works
4. Not reading error messages: Error messages tell you exactly what went wrong — read them carefully
5. Working in isolation: Join communities, ask questions, and learn from others’ experiences

What to Learn Next

After completing this tutorial, you have a solid foundation. To become job-ready, you need:

• Deeper understanding of advanced patterns and production scenarios
• 2–3 portfolio projects demonstrating real-world application
• Certification preparation for industry-recognised credentials
• Interview preparation with mock interviews and system design practice

Accelerate Your Learning with Structured Training

AZ-104 Azure Administrator Training at SkilBrill covers everything in this tutorial and goes significantly deeper — with live instructor guidance, production-style labs, capstone projects, and placement support. The structured programme gets you job-ready faster than self-learning alone.

Available in classroom (Chennai), live online, and hybrid modes. Call +91 8610964691 or WhatsApp to discuss your goals and enrol.

Written by SkilBrill Training Institute

August 23, 2026 · 5 min read