Microsoft Azure continues to be one of the most widely used cloud platforms in 2026. As more organizations move workloads to the cloud, the demand for skilled Azure professionals continues to grow. For many IT professionals, one common question is whether to pursue AZ-104 or AZ-700 as part of their Azure learning journey.
Although both certifications belong to the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, they serve different purposes. AZ-104 focuses on Azure administration, while AZ-700 focuses on Azure networking. Understanding how these certifications fit into an Azure administrator’s learning path can help you make better career and training decisions.
Understanding the Role of an Azure Administrator
An Azure administrator is responsible for managing cloud resources, monitoring services, controlling access, maintaining security, and ensuring that Azure environments run efficiently. This role requires knowledge across multiple Azure services rather than expertise in only one technical area.
Azure administrators often work with virtual machines, storage accounts, virtual networks, user identities, monitoring tools, backup solutions, and governance policies. Because the role touches many parts of Azure, professionals need a broad understanding of the platform. This is why learning paths matter. Choosing the right certification at the right time helps build knowledge in a logical order.
Where AZ-104 Fits in the Azure Journey
AZ-104 is designed specifically for Azure administrators. It teaches candidates how to deploy, manage, and monitor Azure resources in real business environments. The exam covers areas such as identity management, governance, storage solutions, compute resources, virtual networking, monitoring, and backup services. These topics reflect the daily responsibilities of Azure administrators.
For most candidates, AZ-104 becomes the first major Azure certification after completing Azure Fundamentals. It provides the practical skills needed to manage Azure environments and creates a strong foundation for future specialization. Without understanding the concepts covered in AZ-104, advanced Azure certifications often become more difficult because many services and administrative tasks are interconnected.
Where AZ-700 Fits in the Learning Path
AZ-700 focuses on Azure networking solutions. Instead of teaching how to manage all Azure resources, it teaches how to design, implement, and secure network connectivity within Azure environments.
Candidates learn about virtual networks, routing, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute, DNS, Azure Firewall, private endpoints, load balancing, application delivery, and hybrid connectivity.
Networking plays a major role in modern cloud environments. Applications, databases, users, and services all depend on secure and reliable communication. As organizations adopt hybrid cloud architectures, networking expertise becomes even more valuable.
For Azure administrators who frequently work with connectivity and infrastructure design, AZ-700 can become an excellent next step after gaining general Azure administration experience.
Comparing the Two Learning Paths
| Learning Area | AZ-104 Path | AZ-700 Path |
|---|---|---|
| Main Goal | Azure administration | Azure networking |
| Primary Focus | Managing Azure resources | Designing Azure connectivity |
| Coverage | Broad Azure services | Specialized networking services |
| Best Starting Point | Yes | Usually after Azure experience |
| Daily Tasks | Administration and operations | Network planning and implementation |
| Career Direction | Azure Administrator | Azure Network Engineer |
| Knowledge Depth | Wide platform knowledge | Deep networking knowledge |
Why Many Administrators Start with AZ-104
Most Azure administrators begin with AZ-104 because it teaches how the Azure platform works as a whole. When administrators understand subscriptions, resource groups, storage accounts, virtual machines, monitoring tools, governance policies, and identity services, they can better understand how networking fits into the bigger picture.
For example, before designing network connectivity, it helps to understand what resources need that connectivity. Before securing traffic, it helps to understand how users access applications and services. AZ-104 creates this foundation. Candidates who want extra practice with real exam-style topics can review https://certempire.com/exam/az-104-exam-questions alongside official Azure learning and hands-on labs.
Another advantage is that many Azure job descriptions specifically mention Azure administration skills. This makes AZ-104 valuable for professionals seeking cloud administration roles.
When AZ-700 Becomes the Right Next Step
After building Azure administration skills, some professionals discover that networking interests them more than general administration. Organizations often need specialists who can connect on-premises infrastructure to Azure, design secure communication paths, optimize traffic routing, and improve application availability.
This is where AZ-700 becomes valuable. Instead of managing every Azure service, you focus on making services communicate effectively. You learn how to reduce network bottlenecks, improve security, and support large-scale cloud deployments. For administrators who already understand Azure basics, AZ-700 can significantly expand technical expertise and create opportunities for more specialized infrastructure roles.
Skills Developed Through Each Certification
AZ-104 helps develop operational skills. You learn how to deploy services, manage identities, configure storage, monitor resources, and maintain Azure environments.
AZ-700 develops architecture and connectivity skills. You learn how to design network solutions, configure hybrid connections, manage traffic flow, and secure communication between services. These skills complement each other. An Azure professional who understands both administration and networking can often troubleshoot problems faster because they understand both the resources and the connections between those resources.
For a better understanding, check out Cert Empire’s YouTube tutorial: 📍
Recommended Learning Sequence for 2026
For most professionals, the following path provides the best learning progression:
Step 1: Learn Azure Fundamentals
Before pursuing associate-level certifications, understand Azure core services, cloud concepts, security principles, and pricing models.
Step 2: Complete AZ-104
Build practical administration skills and learn how Azure environments operate in real business scenarios.
Step 3: Gain Hands-On Experience
Spend time working with virtual machines, storage, monitoring, networking, and governance features inside Azure.
Step 4: Move to AZ-700
Once Azure administration becomes comfortable, begin learning advanced networking concepts and connectivity solutions.
Step 5: Consider Advanced Azure Certifications
After AZ-104 and AZ-700, candidates may continue toward Azure architecture, security, or specialized infrastructure certifications.
Common Mistakes Candidates Make
Many candidates try to jump directly into networking specialization without understanding Azure administration basics. This often creates confusion because networking services interact with many other Azure resources. Another common mistake is focusing only on exam preparation materials without using Azure hands-on. Both AZ-104 and AZ-700 require practical understanding. Candidates should spend time creating resources, configuring services, testing connectivity, and troubleshooting issues. Cert Empire can be used as one additional resource for exam-style practice after candidates have completed official learning paths and hands-on exercises.
Which Learning Path Is Best for You?
If your goal is to become an Azure administrator, cloud support engineer, or cloud operations professional, AZ-104 should be your priority. If you already understand Azure administration and want to specialize in networking, AZ-700 becomes the logical next step.
The good news is that these certifications do not compete against each other. Instead, they support different stages of professional growth. Many successful Azure professionals eventually earn both because administration and networking work together in real cloud environments.
FAQs
Should Azure administrators learn AZ-700?
Yes. Azure administrators can benefit from AZ-700 because networking affects many cloud services. Understanding connectivity, routing, and security helps administrators troubleshoot issues and support more complex Azure environments effectively.
Is AZ-104 enough for an Azure career?
AZ-104 can support many Azure administration roles because it covers core platform management skills. However, additional certifications and practical experience can improve long-term career opportunities significantly.
Can beginners start directly with AZ-700?
Beginners can attempt AZ-700, but networking concepts may feel challenging without Azure administration knowledge. Most candidates find the learning process easier after building a foundation through AZ-104.
Which certification has broader knowledge coverage?
AZ-104 has broader coverage because it includes identity, governance, storage, compute, networking, monitoring, and backup services. AZ-700 focuses primarily on networking and connectivity solutions.
Is earning both certifications worthwhile?
Yes. Combining AZ-104 and AZ-700 creates a balanced Azure skill set. Professionals gain both administration expertise and networking knowledge, which can improve technical capabilities and career flexibility.
Find out more: AZ-700 vs AZ-104: Key Differences Every Azure Candidate Should Know
