Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305): Compute Solutions
Azure compute is where most infrastructure decisions live—get this wrong and you’re scaling the wrong resources or bleeding budget on idle instances. This focused module cuts through the noise to show you exactly how to architect compute solutions that actually perform under load, taught by someone who’s designed these systems at scale.
AIU.ac Verdict: Essential for solutions architects and senior cloud engineers preparing for AZ-305 or designing production Azure workloads. The 1h 40m runtime is tight—you’ll need prior Azure fundamentals to extract full value, so this isn’t a starting point for cloud newcomers.
What This Course Covers
You’ll work through Azure compute options in real architectural context: virtual machines with scaling strategies, App Service for web and API workloads, container solutions (AKS, Container Instances), and serverless patterns with Functions. Each topic connects to actual design trade-offs—when to choose managed services over VMs, how to handle stateless vs. stateful workloads, and cost optimisation across compute tiers.
The practical angle matters here. You’re learning to evaluate compute requirements from business constraints, design for resilience and performance, and justify architectural decisions in design reviews. Pluralsight’s sandbox labs let you test scaling policies and failover scenarios without burning your own Azure credits.
Who Is This Course For?
Ideal for:
- Solutions Architects: Preparing for AZ-305 or designing multi-tier Azure systems; need to articulate compute trade-offs to stakeholders.
- Senior Cloud Engineers: Moving into architecture roles; need structured knowledge of compute patterns beyond hands-on infrastructure work.
- DevOps/Platform Engineers: Building internal platforms on Azure; must understand compute options to guide development teams toward scalable designs.
May not suit:
- Azure Beginners: No time for foundational concepts; assumes you know VMs, App Service basics, and Azure networking fundamentals.
- Infrastructure Operators: If you’re managing existing resources rather than designing new systems, the architectural framing won’t align with your day-to-day work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305): Compute Solutions take?
1 hour 40 minutes of video content. Plan 2–3 hours total if you’re working through the sandbox labs and reviewing design scenarios.
Do I need Azure experience before starting?
Yes. You should be comfortable with Azure portal navigation, basic VM and App Service concepts, and networking fundamentals. This module assumes you’re past ‘what is a virtual machine’ and focuses on architectural decisions.
Will this prepare me for the full AZ-305 exam?
This covers the compute pillar thoroughly—a critical section of AZ-305. You’ll still need to study identity, data, and networking solutions separately to sit the full exam.
Is this taught by someone with real-world experience?
Yes. Mike Boorman is a Pluralsight-vetted author (top 5.5% acceptance rate). The course emphasises practical architectural patterns, not just exam facts.
Course by Mike Boorman on Pluralsight. Duration: 1h 40m. Last verified by AIU.ac: March 2026.
