About AZ-140 Exam
The candidates who ace the Microsoft AZ-140 certification exam become eligible for obtaining the Microsoft Certified: Windows Virtual Desktop Specialty certification. This exam is created to verify one’s knowledge about how to configure and operate the Windows Virtual Desktop on Microsoft Azure.
Audience for the Microsoft AZ-140 Exam
The candidates who decide to take test AZ-140 are usually Azure administrators who want to prove their ability to plan, deliver, and manage virtual desktops and remote apps while operating on Azure infrastructure. Also, these individuals should be interested in learning how to deploy virtual desktop experiences and applications while using Azure, how to work with Windows Virtual Desktop for delivering applications as well as how to optimize and run them in multi-session virtual environments.
Other test prerequisites require the applicants to have solid skills in administering Azure infrastructure and have hands-on experience with Azure technologies. This category includes practical familiarity with features like identity, networking, storage, virtualization, resilience, backups, and disaster recovery. The candidates should also have a prior understanding of how to manage virtual desktops and how to migrate the existing infrastructure to Windows Virtual Desktop.
Structure of AZ-140 Certification Exam
Like many other exams, Microsoft doesn’t offer too much information on how the AZ-140 assessment is structured. It is known, that now, this is a beta test that doesn’t have any retirement date. It can be taken in the English language only and requires the candidates to pay the registration fee of $165.
One more thing to know is that Microsoft AZ-140 is a proctored exam and one should enroll in it on the Pearson VUE website. This includes creating an account on this platform, logging in, searching for the exam code in the “Proctored exams” area, and scheduling the most suitable date for testing. Once you finalize the registration, you should confirm the fee payment and be ready to take the exam once you have the necessary knowledge level.
Topics Covered by the Microsoft AZ-140 Exam
The professionals who take the Microsoft AZ-140 exam should be ready to demonstrate the following skills:
- Planning a Windows Virtual Desktop Architecture
This topic covers around 10 to 15% of all exam questions. The candidates have to learn about designing the Windows Virtual Desktop architecture and should be prepared to demonstrate that they can investigate the current physical desktop environment and understand the virtual needs. Also, they need to know how to assess the network’s capacity and comply with the requirements imposed by the Windows Virtual Desktop. Within this topic, the candidates should also become experienced in designing for user profiles and identities, considering the Windows Virtual Desktop requirements when selecting the appropriate licensing model, and recommending and identifying the proper storage solution given a scenario. For example, they should know how to identify the differences between Azure Files versus Azure NetApp Files and which one meets the set requirements.
- Implementing a Windows Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
This chapter covers between 25 to 30% of the total exam questions. The candidates are required to demonstrate a solid knowledge of implementing and managing networking features for Windows Virtual Desktop. This means that they should gain mastery in the implementation of Azure virtual network connectivity. Also, they should be able to show that they know how to manage connectivity in both on-premises networks or to the internet. Another subtopic included in this domain checks if the applicant can efficiently implement and manage storage solutions for Windows Virtual Desktop. Besides, the individuals who want to get certified need to consolidate their skills in creating and configuring host pools as well as session hosts. Finally, this module includes questions that validate the candidates’ knowledge of creating and managing session host images.
- Managing security and access
The examinees who want to pass the Microsoft AZ-140 exam should demonstrate that they are able to manage the users’ access. This means that they should become skilled at implementing and planning Azure roles as well as defining role-based access control when working with Windows Virtual Desktop. Also, they should become proficient in managing local roles, right assignments, and groups while operating the Windows Virtual Desktop session hosts. Besides, the test-takers have to obtain competence at managing security issues.
- Management of user environments and applications
The Microsoft AZ-140 exam’s blueprint includes topics dedicated to the management and implementation of FSLogix infrastructure, along with its planning and installation processes. The examinees also have to develop advanced skills in configuring user experience settings. Therefore, they will find questions that validate their skills in configuring Universal Print features as well as troubleshooting user profile problems. The final subtopic included in this chapter is dedicated to installing and configuring applications while working on a session host. Therefore, the test-takers should gain knowledge on configuring dynamic apps while using MSIX App Attach as well as implementing application making. Besides, they should understand the specifics of deploying an app and transform it into a RemoteApp.
- Monitoring and maintaining a Windows Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
This domain covers approximately 20 to 25% of the total exam syllabus. For it, the test-takers should consolidate their skills in planning and implementing disaster recovery and business continuity solutions and procedures. Besides, they should become skilled at automating Windows Virtual Desktop management tasks and know how to configure automation when using such infrastructure. Another topic is dedicated to monitoring and managing the system’s health and performance.
Career Opportunities for Microsoft AZ-140 Exam Passers
A candidate who manages to pass the Microsoft AZ-140 exam will leverage his/her knowledge on working with Windows Virtual Desktop and can apply for the following positions:
- Microsoft Azure Administrator
- Software Engineer
- Virtual Desktop Administrator
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Engineer
According to the benchmark developed by Payscale.com, a Microsoft Azure Administrator can reach an annual salary of approximately $64k. In the case of a Software Engineer, the average salary can range between $63k and $128k.
Certification Path
First, individuals who achieve the passing score in the Microsoft AZ-140 exam obtain the Microsoft Certified: Windows Virtual Desktop Specialty certification. After this qualification, they can enhance their skills by taking the Microsoft AZ-303 and AZ-304 tests. They are required for earning the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert accreditation.
