Azure Administrator (AZ-104 Role)
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Manages daily operations in Azure.
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Tasks: Configure RBAC, deploy VMs, set up NSGs, manage backups.
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Focus: Implementation.
Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305 Role)
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Works with stakeholders (IT, security, compliance, business).
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Designs end-to-end solutions that meet requirements.
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Decides trade-offs: Performance vs Cost, Simplicity vs Resiliency, Cloud-native vs Hybrid.
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Focus: Design choices, not just hands-on tasks.
Example Difference
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Admin task: “Enable backup for this VM.”
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Architect task: “Which backup strategy meets 30-day retention and compliance requirements?”
Confusion Buster 🚨
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Admin asks: “How do I configure it?”
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Architect asks: “Should I even use it, or is there a better fit?”
Simple Analogy
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Administrator = Car mechanic (knows how to fix the engine).
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Architect = Car designer (chooses engine type, size, fuel efficiency trade-offs).
Exam Tip
If the scenario sounds like:
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“Which Azure service to choose?” → That’s AZ-305.
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“Which CLI command to run?” → That’s AZ-104.