If you are a Database Administrator seeking to enrich your career with a Microsoft Role-Based certification, then DP-300 Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure is for you.
What Happened to MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration?
In 2018, Microsoft released their plans to implement new role-based certifications to replace many of their popular MCSE, MCSD and MCSA
certifications. As of January 31st, 2020, MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration officially retired. If you were interested in a career with Azure SQL Databases, then no fear, there is a replacement! With the role-based certification shift, Microsoft introduced DP-300: Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure. This new role-based SQL certification allows you to focus on closing the gap between the knowledge needed to pass the DP-300 certification exam, but also allows you more understanding of the skills needed to properly perform in the Database Administrator role.
What are Database Administrators and What is DP-300 Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure?
Azure Database Administrators ensure that Azure SQL databases run efficiently while utilizing specialized software to store and organize data. Database Administrators also make sure the data is available to users while securing any unauthorized access. As reported, the median salary for a Database Administrator is around the mid-$90k’s with a projected growth of 10% -which is higher than average for all occupations.
DP-300 Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure is a Microsoft SQL certification that proves you have an understanding and the necessary skills to administer a SQL Server database infrastructure for cloud, on-premises and hybrid relational databases on the Microsoft PaaS relational database. This SQL certification is meant for data professionals that manage data and Azure SQL databases who want to learn about administering the data platform technologies that are available on Microsoft Azure. Some of the most prominent skills gained with the DP-300 course include, the ability to plan, deploy and configure Azure SQL offerings, the skill to monitor the Azure database performance and finetune the database and queries for optimal results and performance, and allowing IT professionals to understand how to plan and configure a High Availability Solution. This SQL certification is not only beneficial for Azure Database Administrators, but this is also a valuable course for Data Architects and Applications SQL Developers who need to grasp the understanding of what technologies are available on the data platform with Azure and how to implement those technologies through applications.
How do I become a Database Administrator and How do I Pass the DP-300: Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure Exam?
In order to become an Azure Database Administrator, you must pass your DP-300 exam. As competition in the IT industry increases the robustness and difficulty level for the required exams to become certified also intensifies. It’s been reported that a majority of qualified candidates have failed their DP-300 exam. The reason behind their failure is not lack of effort, but lack of appropriate study and training material. There is no official prerequisite for this exam, however it is highly recommended that you invest in AZ-900: Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals and DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals. Both AZ-900 and DP-900 will provide solid foundational knowledge and grant more of a blanketed understanding, allowing you to move forward through the more advanced requirements. The purpose of the DP-300 exam is to measure your ability to accomplish the following technical tasks:
- Plan and implement data platform resources (15-20%)
- Implement a secure environment (15-20%)
- Monitor and optimize operational resources (15-20%)
- Optimize query performance (5-10%)
- Perform automation of tasks (10-15%)
- Plan and implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) environment (15-20%)
- Perform administration by using T-SQL (10-15%)
Although, independent study is an option to tackle the DP-300 exam, due to the massive amount of subject matter covered and the degree of knowledge needed to properly display understanding, independent studying can easily become very overwhelming. It is suggested to enroll into an official IT training facility. With official IT training you are afforded the opportunity to take your training a step further with a “certification package” upgrade. The Certification Package includes all the necessary tools to garner success; some of these upgrades include: study guides, labs, Test Pass Guarantee and other training material needed to pass the DP-300 exam. There has never been a better time to invest in your IT future. Click here to learn more.