Which Azure administration tools are covered in AZ-104?

AZ-104 references the core administrator tools used to manage Azure infrastructure: the Azure Portal, Cloud Shell, Azure PowerShell, the Azure CLI, and Azure Resource Manager with ARM templates. The program positions these as practical methods for organizing and deploying resources.

AZ-104 includes an administration module focused on the tools Azure Administrators use to manage resources. This matters because the same task can be performed in different ways, and teams often need consistency across interactive changes and repeatable deployments.The page lists the Azure Portal and Cloud Shell as part of the tooling surface. The Portal supports interactive administration and visibility, while Cloud Shell provides a browser-based environment for command execution and scripting workflows.It also includes Azure PowerShell and the Azure CLI. These tools are commonly used for automation, repeatability, and operating at scale, such as managing multiple resources, applying consistent configurations, or integrating with internal operational scripts.For resource organization and deployment, the course covers Azure Resource Manager and ARM templates. Resource Manager is the underlying control plane for deployments and management operations. ARM templates represent infrastructure definitions that can be deployed consistently across environments, supporting patterns like standardized resource groups, repeatable rollout steps, and controlled configuration changes.The module’s learning outcomes emphasize practical usage: organizing resources with Azure Resource Manager, using the Portal and Cloud Shell, using PowerShell and CLI, and using ARM templates to deploy resources. The page also references optional PowerShell and CLI labs, indicating that hands-on practice is included in the program structure as presented.From an operations perspective, the value is knowing when to use each tool. Portal and Cloud Shell support direct administration and troubleshooting. PowerShell and CLI support scripted execution and repeatable tasks. ARM templates support predictable deployments and governance-friendly change management.

Related Information

  • The administration module references Azure Portal and Cloud Shell for managing Azure resources.
  • The program includes Azure PowerShell and the Azure CLI for administration workflows.
  • Azure Resource Manager is included as a way to organize and manage resources.
  • ARM templates are covered for deploying resources through defined templates.
  • The page lists optional labs for PowerShell and CLI within the administration module.

Expert Insight

Most Azure operational friction comes from inconsistency. One engineer changes settings in the Portal, another deploys via templates, and a third runs ad-hoc scripts. AZ-104’s tool coverage is useful because it helps you reason about the same resource lifecycle across interfaces.If you want durable skills, focus on mapping tasks to the right interface. Use interactive tools for investigation and quick changes, but prefer declarative or scripted approaches for repeatability. Resource Manager concepts and template-based deployments are particularly important when governance controls, approvals, or environment parity matter.Also, do not treat tooling as separate from governance. Policy, RBAC, and naming or grouping conventions influence what tools can do and how safely teams can operate.

This module includes the Azure Portal, Cloud Shell, Azure PowerShell, CLI, and Resource Manager Templates.

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Topics

Azure PortalAzure Cloud ShellAzure PowerShellAzure CLIAzure Resource ManagerARM templatesAZ-104 toolsAzure operations

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