The Integrated AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions - Study Guide [160 Minute Read]

A First-Principles Approach to Cloud Solution Design, Exam Readiness, and Professional Application on Azure

Welcome to the MindMesh Academy AZ-305 Study Guide. This resource is designed to empower you to master the skills and knowledge required to become a Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert. Whether you are just starting or refining your expertise, you are in the right place to build deep, practical understanding.

At MindMesh Academy, our approach is rooted in the spirit of Shokunin Kishitsu—the craftsman's dedication to excellence, precision, and continuous improvement. This guide is crafted not just to help you pass the exam, but to cultivate true architectural skill and confidence.

We build every section from First Principles: breaking down complex Azure concepts to their core, then reconstructing them with clarity and practical relevance. This ensures you gain not just surface knowledge, but a robust, adaptable foundation.

As you progress, expect a journey that is challenging yet rewarding. Each phase is intentionally structured to build mastery step by step. Engage actively, reflect on your progress, and apply what you learn to real-world scenarios.

Let’s begin your transformation from exam candidate to Azure architect—one principle, one practice, one insight at a time.

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(Table of Contents - For Reference)

• Phase 1: Foundational Principles & Core Azure Architectural Concepts

  • 1.1. Welcome to the AZ-305 Study Guide: A Craftsman's Approach
  • 1.2. Understanding the AZ-305 Exam: Purpose & Audience
  • 1.3. Core Azure Architectural Concepts Refresher
    • 1.3.1. 💡 First Principle: Resource Groups
    • 1.3.2. 💡 First Principle: Subscriptions
    • 1.3.3. 💡 First Principle: Azure Regions
    • 1.3.4. 💡 First Principle: Azure Availability Zones
    • 1.3.5. 💡 First Principle: Scalability
    • 1.3.6. 💡 First Principle: High Availability
    • 1.3.7. 💡 First Principle: Security
    • 1.3.8. 💡 First Principle: Cost Optimization
  • 1.4. The Azure Shared Responsibility Model
    • 1.4.1. Shared Responsibility: Microsoft's Role
    • 1.4.2. Shared Responsibility: Customer's Role
  • 1.5. Azure Well-Architected Framework (WAF)
  • 1.6. Navigating Azure Design Tools (Azure Portal, ARM Templates, Bicep, Terraform)
  • 1.7. Reflection Checkpoint: Setting the Stage

• Phase 2: Designing Governance, Authentication, and Monitoring Solutions

  • 2.1. Domain Overview: Designing Governance, Authentication, and Monitoring Solutions
    • 2.1.1. Design a Governance Solution
      • 2.1.1.1. Design for Azure Governance
      • 2.1.1.2. Design for Azure Blueprints
      • 2.1.1.3. Design for Azure Policy
      • 2.1.1.4. Design for Resource Hierarchies
    • 2.1.2. Design an Authentication Solution
      • 2.1.2.1. Design for Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
      • 2.1.2.2. Design for Hybrid Identity
      • 2.1.2.3. Design for Azure AD Connect
      • 2.1.2.4. Design for Azure AD B2B and B2C
    • 2.1.3. Design an Authorization Solution
      • 2.1.3.1. Design for Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
      • 2.1.3.2. Design for Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
      • 2.1.3.3. Design for Conditional Access
    • 2.1.4. Design a Monitoring Solution
      • 2.1.4.1. Design for Azure Monitor
      • 2.1.4.2. Design for Azure Cost Management
  • 2.2. Reflection Checkpoint: Identity and Governance Mastery

• Phase 3: Designing Data Storage and Business Continuity Solutions

  • 3.1. Domain Overview: Designing Data Storage and Business Continuity Solutions
    • 3.1.1. Design for Relational Data
      • 3.1.1.1. Design for Azure SQL Database
      • 3.1.1.2. Design for Azure Database for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB
    • 3.1.2. Design for Non-Relational Data
      • 3.1.2.1. Design for Azure Cosmos DB
      • 3.1.2.2. Design for Azure Blob Storage
      • 3.1.2.3. Design for Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
    • 3.1.3. Design for Data Streaming
    • 3.1.4. Design for Data Integration
      • 3.1.4.1. Design for Azure Data Factory
      • 3.1.4.2. Design for Azure Synapse Analytics
    • 3.1.5. Design for Data Archiving
      • 3.1.5.1. Design for Data Lifecycle Management
  • 3.2. Reflection Checkpoint: Data Storage Solutions

• Phase 4: Designing Business Continuity Solutions

  • 4.1. Domain Overview: Designing Business Continuity Solutions
    • 4.1.1. Design for Azure Backup
    • 4.1.2. Design for Azure Site Recovery
    • 4.1.3. Design for High Availability
      • 4.1.3.1. Design for Azure Availability Zones
      • 4.1.3.2. Design for Azure Availability Sets
    • 4.1.4. Design a Disaster Recovery Solution
      • 4.1.4.1. Design for Cross-Region Replication
      • 4.1.4.2. Design for Failover and Failback
  • 4.2. Reflection Checkpoint: Business Continuity Solutions

• Phase 5: Designing Compute, Network, and Application Infrastructure

  • 5.1. Domain Overview: Designing Compute, Network, and Application Infrastructure
    • 5.1.1. Design a Compute Solution
      • 5.1.1.1. Design for Azure Virtual Machines
      • 5.1.1.2. Design for Azure App Service
      • 5.1.1.3. Design for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
      • 5.1.1.4. Design for Azure Functions
    • 5.1.2. Design a Network Solution
      • 5.1.2.1. Design for Azure Virtual Network (VNet)
      • 5.1.2.2. Design for Network Security Groups (NSGs) and Azure Firewall
      • 5.1.2.3. Design for Azure VPN Gateway and ExpressRoute
      • 5.1.2.4. Design for Azure DNS and Azure Traffic Manager
    • 5.1.3. Design a Migration Solution
      • 5.1.3.1. Design for Azure Migrate
      • 5.1.3.2. Design for Database Migration Services
  • 5.2. Reflection Checkpoint: Infrastructure Solutions

• Phase 6: Exam Readiness & Mastery

  • 6.1. Exam Readiness & Mastery Overview
    • 6.1.1. Practice Exam Strategies
    • 6.1.2. Time Management and Pacing
    • 6.1.3. Review of Key Concepts
    • 6.1.4. Next Steps in Your Azure Journey
    • 6.1.5. Final Encouragement

• Phase 7: Glossary

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