You’ve spent years working with firewalls, VPNs, network connectivity, and routing. And now your organisation is moving to Azure, which puts you in an interesting position. You know networking inside out, but the cloud version of it feels like a different language.
So you start looking at certifications. AZ-700 jumps out immediately. It’s an Azure networking certification. That’s exactly what you do. Why would you look at anything else?
But then someone tells you to take AZ-104 first. And suddenly you’re confused, because AZ-104 is for Azure administrators not network engineers. Why would you study storage accounts and virtual machines when you want to work with VPNs and firewalls?
That’s the exact question this blog answers. By the end, you’ll know which certification makes more sense for where you are right now and why the answer isn’t the same for everyone.
AZ-700 vs AZ-104: Which Certification Should You Take First?
If you’re new to Azure, start with AZ-104. It teaches you how the Azure platform works identity, compute, storage, and networking so that when you get to AZ-700, you’re not learning Azure and advanced networking at the same time.
If you already work with Azure regularly and your networking fundamentals are strong, go straight to AZ-700. You don’t need to take a step back, you need to go deeper.
AZ-700 vs. AZ-104 at a Glance
| Factor | AZ-104 |
AZ-700 |
| Best for | Azure administrators | Azure network engineers |
| Focus | Identity, compute, storage, networking, monitoring | Hybrid networking, routing, security, load balancing |
| Difficulty | Broad | Specialised |
| Best first choice | Beginners to Azure | Experienced network professionals |
| Career path | Cloud admin, infrastructure engineer | Azure network engineer, cloud network specialist |
Recommended Azure Certification Path for Network Professionals
Before choosing between AZ-700 and AZ-104, it helps to see where both certifications sit inside a full Azure career path. These two credentials do not sit side by side; they sit on top of each other, as part of a longer progression.
Traditional Network Engineer
↓
AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate
↓
AZ-700 Azure Network Engineer Associate
↓
AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer Associate
↓
AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert
AZ-104 gives you the platform foundation. AZ-700 lets you specialise in networking. AZ-500 extends that expertise into cloud security, and AZ-305 opens the door to senior architecture roles. Each step builds on the last which is exactly why the order matters more than most people realise when they are starting out.
What Is AZ-700? Azure Network Engineer Associate Certification Explained
AZ-700 is Microsoft’s Azure Network Engineer certification. It validates your ability to design, implement, and manage Azure networking solutions including hybrid connectivity, routing, network security, and private access to Azure services.
According to Microsoft Learn, to sit the AZ-700 exam you are expected to already understand IP addressing, DNS, routing, VPN and WAN connectivity, and know your way around the Azure portal and Azure PowerShell. This is not an entry-level exam; it assumes you are bringing real networking experience to the table.
On the salary side, the specialisation pays off. According to ZipRecruiter, Azure Network Engineers in the United States earn between $109,040 annually, with senior roles in major cities frequently exceeding that range.
Who should take AZ-700? You are a strong fit if you can already plan and implement hybrid connectivity, network security, core network infrastructure, application delivery services, and private access to Azure services. If those areas feel comfortable, AZ-700 is your next logical move.
What Is AZ-104? Azure Administrator Associate Certification Explained
AZ-104 is Microsoft’s Azure Administrator Associate certification. It validates your ability to manage Azure identity, compute, storage, virtual networks, and resource monitoring across a cloud environment.
According to Microsoft Learn, AZ-104 covers five domains: identities and governance, compute resources, storage, virtual networking, and monitoring. As an Azure Administrator, you are not the specialist; you are the generalist who keeps everything running across multiple services.
On salary, AZ-104 certified professionals in the United States typically earn between $121,476 annually, with the credential frequently listed as a baseline requirement for mid-level cloud infrastructure roles.
Who should take AZ-104? It is the right choice if you want to build a solid Azure foundation before specialising, if your role touches multiple areas of Azure beyond networking, or if you are making the jump from a traditional IT role to cloud for the first time.
Why Network Engineers Prefer AZ-700 Over AZ-104
The instinct to go straight to AZ-700 makes complete sense. Here is exactly why.
It feels closer to what you already do. When you look at the AZ-104 syllabus, you see governance, storage accounts, and identity management. That is not your world. But when you look at AZ-700 VPNs, firewalls, network security groups, load balancing that is Tuesday morning for you.
You do not want to be a generalist. You have spent years building networking expertise. The last thing you want is to spend months studying for a broad certification when what you actually need is to deepen your cloud networking skills. AZ-700 feels like the direct route to exactly where you want to go.
Your existing experience builds real confidence. You have worked with VPNs, routing protocols, and firewall rules for years. AZ-700 concepts do not feel alien; they feel like your existing knowledge is applied to a new platform. That confidence is not arrogance; it is experience talking.
The career payoff looks faster. Specialisation typically pays more than generalisation. The gap between an Azure Administrator’s salary and an Azure Network Engineer’s salary reflects that specialised demand and AZ-700 feels like the faster route to the higher number.
Why AZ-104 Is Recommended Before AZ-700
Even with all those valid reasons to go straight to AZ-700, there is a strong case for building the foundation first.
Azure networking does not live in a bubble. Every network you configure in Azure is going to interact with compute resources, storage accounts, identity systems, and security controls. If you do not understand how those pieces work, you will hit knowledge gaps constantly even after earning AZ-700. The platform context matters more than it seems upfront.
AZ-700 topics click faster when you already know Azure. VNets, subnets, NSGs, and VPN Gateways are manageable topics on their own. But when you already know how Azure organises resources, what resource groups do, how subscriptions work, and how identity flows through the platform, those AZ-700 concepts become significantly easier to understand and retain. Without that context, you are fighting on two fronts at once.
Your options stay open. Plenty of network professionals move into security, DevOps, infrastructure, or cloud architecture as their careers evolve. AZ-104 gives you the broader exposure that makes those moves possible. If you jump straight to AZ-700, you are specializing before you have had a chance to see the whole landscape.
AZ-700 vs AZ-104: Decision Framework for Network Professionals
Stop trying to figure out which certification is objectively better; they serve different purposes. The right question is which one is right for you, right now.
Start with AZ-104 if:
- You are transitioning from a traditional IT or system administration role and have not spent much time in Azure
- You want to understand how the whole platform works before narrowing your focus
- Your current or future role involves responsibilities beyond networking compute, storage, or identity management
- You want career flexibility to move into security, architecture, or DevOps later
Start with AZ-700 if:
- You already work with Azure regularly and have hands-on experience with its core services
- Your networking fundamentals routing, VPNs, firewalls, security are solid and well-practised
- Your job specifically requires cloud networking expertise and you do not need a broad Azure administration background to get there
- You are a CCNA or CCNP certified engineer ready to apply your skills in Azure
And remember even if you take AZ-700 first, the administrative knowledge will catch up with you eventually. Real-world Azure networking roles pull you into conversations about identity, compute, and governance whether you are prepared for them or not.
AZ-700 vs AZ-104: Real Career Scenarios and Recommendations
You are a Windows System Administrator. You have managed Active Directory, Group Policy, on-premises servers, and user accounts for years. Azure feels like a natural extension of that world and it is. But you still need to understand how Azure organises resources, manages identity, and handles networking in the cloud before specialisation makes sense. Take AZ-104 first. It bridges exactly the gap between where you are and where AZ-700 picks up.
You are a CCNA or CCNP Certified Network Engineer. Routing protocols, VPNs, firewall configuration, network security architecture this is your daily work. You understand connectivity at a level most people never reach. The concepts in AZ-700 are not going to be foreign; you are just learning how to apply them within Azure’s framework. Start with AZ-700. Your existing expertise makes it an efficient and logical choice.
You are a Cloud Engineer Already Working in Azure. You are in the Azure portal every day. Resource groups, subscriptions, core services you know how they work. What you want now is to formalise and deepen your networking expertise. AZ-700 is exactly the right next step. It validates skills you are likely already using on the job and positions you for more specialised roles.
AZ-104 vs. AZ-700: How the Careers Compare
| Area | AZ-104 |
AZ-700 |
| Typical Role | Azure Administrator | Azure Network Engineer |
| Focus | Platform Operations | Network Architecture |
| Skill Breadth | Broad | Specialised |
| Enterprise Demand | High | High |
| Career Flexibility | Very High | Moderate |
Both paths have strong demand in enterprise environments. AZ-104 keeps your options wide open across cloud roles. AZ-700 focuses those options into a deeper, more specialised and typically better-compensated career lane.
AZ-700 vs AZ-104 Difficulty Comparison
If you have spent time working with Azure resources hands-on, AZ-104 is going to feel manageable. Most of the concepts will map to things you have already touched, which shortens your preparation time considerably.
If you know networking, AZ-700 is not going to shock you with its concepts. The challenge is learning how Azure implements those concepts, not learning the concepts themselves. The platform specifics are where the difficulty lives, not the networking fundamentals you have already mastered.
The common thread for both exams: watching videos without touching Azure will not get you through either of them. Hands-on practice is non-negotiable.
How to Prepare for AZ-104 and AZ-700
Both certifications test practical understanding, not just theoretical knowledge. Microsoft designs these exams around real-world scenarios.
Instructor-Led Training Expert-led video courses break down complex topics into digestible concepts. Structured learning paths aligned to exam domains ensure comprehensive coverage without gaps.
Practice Tests Full-length practice exams simulate the real testing experience, assess your readiness, and surface weak areas before exam day. Attempting practice tests under timed conditions builds both knowledge and confidence.
Hands-On Labs This is where most candidates fall short. Watching videos without touching Azure is the most common and costly preparation mistake. Both exams test practical implementation, so hands-on experience in a real Azure environment is non-negotiable.
Whizlabs offers hands-on labs and an Azure sandbox environment where you can practise real configurations without risk configuring VNets, deploying VMs, setting up NSGs, and testing networking scenarios in a live Azure environment.
Career Outcomes: What Each Certification Opens Up
| Certification |
Typical Roles |
| AZ-104 | Azure Administrator, Cloud Administrator, Infrastructure Engineer, IT Operations Engineer |
| AZ-700 | Azure Network Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer, Network Architect, Senior Network Engineer |
| AZ-104 + AZ-700 | Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Network and Cloud Operations Lead, Cloud Solutions Engineer |
AZ-104 keeps your career options broad across the Azure ecosystem. AZ-700 sharpens your profile into a high-demand, better-compensated specialisation. Holding both positions for senior roles that require both platform breadth and networking depth a combination enterprise employers consistently prioritise.
Final Recommendation: AZ-104 or AZ-700?
If you are a network professional standing at this crossroads, the answer depends on where you are starting from, not just where you want to go.
Start with AZ-104 if you are building your Azure foundation, want career flexibility, or plan to grow beyond networking into architecture or security roles.
Start with AZ-700 if you already have deep Azure experience, your role is exclusively networking-focused, and your organisation needs those skills immediately.
For the majority of network professionals, AZ-104 followed by AZ-700 is the strongest Microsoft Azure certification roadmap not because AZ-700 is not valuable, but because the foundation makes the specialisation significantly more effective in practice.
Regardless of which Azure certification path you choose, Whizlabs provides the courses, practice tests, and hands-on labs to help you prepare with confidence.
FAQs
Q1. Should I take AZ-104 before AZ-700?
Yes. AZ-104 builds the Azure foundation that makes AZ-700 significantly easier. Skip it only if you already have solid hands-on Azure experience.
Q2. Is AZ-700 harder than AZ-104?
AZ-700 is harder for Azure beginners. For experienced network engineers, it is often the more approachable exam of the two.
Q3. Can I pass AZ-700 without AZ-104?
Yes. AZ-104 is not a prerequisite. However, it reduces knowledge gaps and makes AZ-700 preparation noticeably smoother.
Q4. Is AZ-104 worth it for network engineers?
Yes. Azure networking interacts daily with compute, storage, and identity. AZ-104 gives you the platform context to be effective on the job.
Q5. Which Azure certification is most suitable for network engineers?
AZ-104 followed by AZ-700 is the recommended path. Experienced Azure professionals can pursue AZ-700 directly.
Q6. Can I take AZ-104 after AZ-700?
Yes. There is no required order. Many professionals earn AZ-700 first and complete AZ-104 later as their role expands.
Q7. What career opportunities does AZ-104 open up on its own?
AZ-104 qualifies you for Azure Administrator, Cloud Administrator, and Infrastructure Engineer roles across industries.
Q8. Can earning both AZ-700 and AZ-104 increase my salary?
Yes. Combining platform breadth with networking depth commands a meaningful salary premium in enterprise hiring.
