Preface

Cloud computing is a technology commonly seen as a platform and mechanism to provide organizations with an enabler for digital transformation. However, the cloud computing journey need not be a binary decision; it need not be a broad sweeping decision to move all your workloads to the cloud and decommission everything on-premises.

While it may be appropriate and the best direction of travel for some, there are equally those that, for reasons such as data locality, compliance, control, performance, and so on, this will not be the case. There will be, for many, a need to remain with an appropriate amount of on-premises computing, storage networking, and other related resources to deliver the technology needs to their organizations. It is not for us to judge or rule on what is right or wrong for an organization but to provide options to meet and support all required outcomes that are mandated, or need to be delivered to an organization.

With that outlook and mindset on the changing face of cloud computing, we may look to extend the capabilities of cloud computing into our data centers to enhance and enrich the services operated from these facilities. It could be considered as much about managing from the cloud as it is about moving to the cloud.

We acknowledge that undeniably there are solid cases for digital transformation and, for many, being cloud native is the foremost approach; however, for many, the first step in the journey will be data center modernization through a hybrid cloud computing approach. Many a year’s life is left in data centers, and Windows Server is a computing and core infrastructure platform that should be enriched and enhanced through cloud computing capabilities.

The content of this book intends to provide complete coverage of the exam requirements to prepare you for the AZ-800: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Microsoft Certification exam.

The exam is intended for candidates with extensive experience working with the Windows Server operating system in hybrid environments and implementing and managing the core hybrid infrastructure technologies of computing, storage, networking, identity, and management.

In addition, this book’s added value is that it aims to go beyond the exam objectives, providing an extra depth of knowledge with practical hands-on skills to master, which will be of value in a day-to-day hybrid Windows Server environment role.

This book closes with exam preparation tests.