The Microsoft DP-300, also known as Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure, equips candidates with the expertise needed to perform the job roles of a Database Administrator and Data Management Specialist. The evaluation scrutinizes the management of on-premises in addition to relational databases linked to the cloud which are built using SQL Server for Microsoft as well as Azure Data Services. The associated certification for this exam is Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate.

Target Audience

Before taking Microsoft the DP-300 exam, candidates need to develop solid expertise in the concepts that the DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals evaluation covers. Besides, applicants should be conversant with the execution and management of the operational features related to hybrid and cloud-native data platform solutions. They are also required to be capable of using different tools and methods to fulfill their daily operations such as the application of knowledge with the use of T-SQL for the purposes of administrative management.

Exam Details

Within the Microsoft DP-300 evaluation, candidates will need to deal with 40-60 questions. These questions are to be completed within the allotted timeframe of 100 minutes, which is a universal practice for Microsoft associate-level exams. Qualifying for the associated certificate requires acquiring at least 700 points out of 1000 available. The test is available for test-takers in four languages, including English, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, and costs each applicant $165. This sum is to be paid by the examinees located in the United States. If a candidate is located in another country, the price may be lower.

Skills Examined

The knowledge and skills assessed in the DP-300 evaluation can be grouped into seven extensive areas. These are described in-depth below.

• Domain 1. Planning and executing resources for data platform

  The first objective of the DP-300 evaluation is split into five subsections. The first one concerns the deployment of resources with the use of manual methods. This explores deploying database offerings upon chosen platforms, configuring customized templates for deployment, and applying updates & patches targeting hybrid as well as IaaS deployment. The second subtopic is focused on recommending a proper database offering depending on particular requirements. This is about evaluating requirements related to the deployment, functional impact or benefits related to potential offerings for database, security aspects related to potential offering for database, among others. The third measures candidates’ skills in configuring resources related to scale & performance. Test-takers will need to demonstrate the ability to configure Azure Database as well as Azure SQL managed instances for performance and scale, among other competencies. Also, candidates’ expertise in calculating resource requirements and establishing SQL Data Sync will be measured. The other two issues that this objective revolves around include evaluating a plan for transition to Azure and executing an upgrade or migration strategy for transition to Azure.

• Domain 2. Executing a secure environment

  The second skill area of the DP-300 evaluation dwells on five matters. These include configuring authentication of databases while using platform as well as database tools. It also includes configuring authorization for a database with the use of platform & database tools. Other subtopics included in this section are executing security targeting data at rest, executing security targeting data in transit, as well as executing compliance controls targeting sensitive data.

• Domain 3. Monitoring and optimizing operational resources

  The third objective of the DP-300 test checks if examinees comprehend four key knowledge areas. This includes monitoring activity & performance, including preparing a baseline for operational performance, determining sources attached to performance metrics, and interpreting performance metrics, and so on. Another subsection is focused on executing maintenance tasks associated with performance. It comprises execution of index maintenance duties, executing statistics maintenance duties, and others. The other subsections covered in this domain are identifying issues related to performance, configuring resources to enable optimal performance, as well as configuring a database for users to ensure optimal performance.

• Domain 4. Optimizing query performance

  The fourth topic of the DP-300 evaluation covers three subthemes. The first one is dedicated to reviewing query plans, including determining the proper type of implementation plan, identifying challenge areas in the implementation plan, and extracting query plans out of Query Store. The second subsection inspects the evaluation of performance improvements, while the third one addresses reviewing database table & index design.

• Domain 5. Performing automation tasks

  Within the fifth objective, candidates need to demonstrate their proficiency in three skills areas. The first subtopic covers creating scheduled tasks. Here applicants need to be capable of managing schedules for periodic maintenance jobs, configuring multi-server automation, as well as configuring notifications for the success/failure/non-completion of a task. The second subsection captures the ability of examinees to perform evaluation and implementation of a notification & alert strategy, including the creation of event notifications according to metrics, alerts for the changes in server configuration, event notifications for Azure resources, as well as tasks responding to event notifications. The third subtheme covers the competency of test-takers in managing and automating tasks within Azure. They need to demonstrate the skills in implementing automated deployment techniques for resources as well as policies with the use of automated modes for evaluation.

• Domain 6. Planning and executing a HADR (High Availability & Disaster Recovery) environment

  The sixth section of the certification exam starts with the subtopic focused on recommending an HADR plan to use in solution for data platform. This comprises recommending HADR plan depending on RPO/RTO expectations, evaluating HADR to use in hybrid deployments, among other skills. The other subthemes encompassed by the objective are testing an HADR technique with the use of database, platform, and OS tools; performing backup as well as restore with the use of database tools; configuring HA/DR with the use of database, platform, and OS tools.

• Domain 7. Performing administration with the use of T-SQL

  The seventh and final section included in the DP-300 evaluation covers five areas. The first one deals with examining system health. Here candidates need to demonstrate skills in evaluating database health while using DMVs. They should also show proficiency in evaluating server health with the use of DMVs and performing consistency checks for database with the use of DBCC. The second subsection comprises the expertise in monitoring database configuration with the use of T-SQL. This covers skills in assessing appropriate autogrowth configuration for database, reporting on free space for database, as well as reviewing configuration options for database. The third subtheme evaluates candidates based on their ability to carry out backup & restore of a database with the utilization of T-SQL. The fourth and fifth areas encompass using T-SQL in managing authentication as well as using T-SQL in managing authorization, respectively.

Career Opportunities

As the name of the certificate suggests, the major job role that successful Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate earners can take is a Database Administrator. However, certified individuals can also work in various related job roles such as Database Architect, Database Manager, Database Engineer Database Analyst, among others. According to PayScale, the average salary of a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator amounts to $101k annually.