Kurt Shintaku's Blog

We recently published a FREE special 20-module on-demand video training course, “DP-420 Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB”, where instructors were video-recorded for all modules.

This course teaches developers how to create application using the NoSQL API and SDK for Azure Cosmos DB. Students will learn how to write efficient queries, create indexing policies, manage and provisioned resources, and perform common operations with the SDK.

All video recorded modules for “DP-420 Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB” are available below:

• AZ-120 Course Introduction (1 of 14)
• DP-420 Course Introduction ( 1 of 20 )
• DP-420 Get started with Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 2 of 20 )
• DP-420 Plan Resource Requirements and configure Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL database containers ( 3 of 20 )
• DP-420 Move data into and out of Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 4 of 20 )
• DP-420 Use and configure the Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL SDK ( 5 of 20 )
• DP-420 Implement Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL point operations ( 6 of 20 )
• DP-420 Perform cross-document transactional operations with the Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL and process bulk data ( 7 of 20 )
• DP-420 Execute queries in Azure Cosmos DB NoSQL ( 8 of 20 )
• DP-420 Define and customize indexes in Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 9 of 20 )
• DP-420 Consume an Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL change feed using the SDK ( 10 of 20 )
• DP-420 Handle events with Azure Functions and Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL change feed and search Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL data with Azure Cognitive Search ( 11 of 20 )
• DP-420 Implement a non-relational data model and design a data partitioning strategy ( 12 of 20 )
• DP-420 Configure replication and manage failovers in Azure Cosmos DB ( 13 of 20 )
• DP-420 Use consistency models and configure multi-region write in Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 14 of 20 )
• DP-420 Customize an indexing policy in Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 15 of 20 )
• DP-420 Measure index performance and implement integrated cash in Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 16 of 20 )
• DP-420 Measure performance and monitor responses and events in Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 17 of 20 )
• DP-420 Implement backup and restore, as well as security for Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL ( 18 of 20 )
• DP-420 Manage an Azure Cosmos DB NoSQL solution using DevOps practices ( 19 of 20 )
• DP-420 Create server-side programming constructs in Azure Cosmos DB NoSQL ( 20 of 20 )

Additionally, you may find written versions of this course located at: Course DP-420T00-A: Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB – Training | Microsoft Learn

We recently published a FREE special 31-module on-demand video training course, “DP-300 Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions”, where instructors were video-recorded for all modules.

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to administer a SQL Server database infrastructure for cloud, on-premises and hybrid relational databases and who work with the Microsoft PaaS relational database offerings. Additionally, it will be of use to individuals who develop applications that deliver content from SQL-based relational databases.

All video recorded modules for “DP-300 Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions” are available below:

• DP-300 Course Introduction (1 of 18)
• DP-300 Prepare To Maintain SQL Databases On Azure (2 of 18)
• DP-300 Deploy IaaS Solutions With Azure SQL (3 of 18)
• DP-300 Deploy PaaS Solutions With Azure SQL (4 of 18)
• DP-300 Evaluate Strategies For Migrating To Azure SQL (5 of 18)
• DP-300 Migrate SQL Workloads To Azure SQL Databases And To Azure Managed Instances (6 of 18)
• DP-300 Configure Database Authentication And Authorization (7 of 18)
• DP-300 Protect Data In-transit And At Rest (8 of 18)
• DP-300 Implement Compliance Controls For Sensitive Data (9 of 18)
• DP-300 Describe Performance Monitoring (10 of 18)
• DP-300 Configure SQL Server resources and databases for optimal performance (11 of 18)
• DP-300 Explore query performance optimization (12 of 18)
• DP-300 Explore performance-based design and Evaluate performance improvements (13 of 18)
• DP-300 Automate deployment of database resources (14 of 18)
• DP-300 Create and manage SQL Agent jobs and Manage Azure PaaS tasks using automation (15 of 18)
• DP-300 Describe high availability and disaster recovery strategies (16 of 18)
• DP-300 Explore IaaS and PaaS solutions for high availability and disaster recovery (17 of 18)
• DP-300 Backup and restore databases (18 of 18)

Additionally, you may find written versions of this course located at: Course DP-300T00-A: Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions – Training | Microsoft Learn

I asked Copilot to help me explain Windows 11 Power Modes:

Certainly! Let’s break down the differences between the Balanced, High Performance, and Best Performance power modes in Windows 11:

1. Balanced Power Mode:
   • Power Consumption: The balanced power plan is designed to save energy. It aims to strike a balance between performance and efficiency.
   • Performance Nuances:
     • Allows the CPU to dynamically adjust its clock speed based on workload. When idle, it may slow down to conserve power, and when needed, it speeds up.
     • Benefits: Saves power, reduces component temperatures, increases component lifespan, and minimizes noise.
   • Recommended Use:
     • For normal home users, the balanced plan is usually sufficient. It provides good performance while optimizing power usage.
     • Negligible performance differences between balanced and high-performance plans for most workloads¹.
2. High Performance Power Mode:
   • Power Consumption: The high-performance power plan uses more energy to provide better performance.
   • Performance Nuances:
     • Locks the CPU to its maximum clock speed at all times. For example, if you have a 5GHz CPU, it will run at 5GHz even when idle.
     • Ensures consistent performance but consumes more power.
   • Recommended Use:
     • In specific scenarios where consistent performance is critical (e.g., gaming, resource-intensive applications).
     • Not ideal for everyday use due to increased power consumption and unnecessary high clock speeds when idle.
3. Best Performance Power Mode:
   • Power Consumption: Minimal power savings compared to high performance.
   • Performance Nuances:
     • Contrary to common misconception, best performance doesn’t ramp everything up to full speed.
     • It means there is more power available to the system when tasks demand it.
   • Recommended Use:
     • Use this mode when you need the absolute maximum performance without any regard for power savings.
     • Typically used in professional workstations, servers, or specialized applications.

In summary:

• Balanced: Good compromise between performance and efficiency.
• High Performance: Consistent performance but higher power usage.
• Best Performance: Maximum performance, minimal power savings²³.

As an IT professional, consider the specific needs of your users and their workloads when selecting the appropriate power mode. For most users, the balanced plan suffices, but for power users or specialized tasks, high performance or best performance may be necessary. Always monitor system behavior to ensure optimal performance and power efficiency. 🚀💡

We recently published a FREE special 31-module on-demand video training course, “AZ-500 Azure Security Technologies”, where instructors were video-recorded for all modules.

This course provides IT Security Professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to implement security controls, maintain an organization’s security posture, and identify and remediate security vulnerabilities. This course includes security for identity and access, platform protection, data and applications, and security operations.

Audience Profile

This course is for Azure Security Engineers who are planning to take the associated certification exam, or who are performing security tasks in their day-to-day job. This course would also be helpful to an engineer that wants to specialize in providing security for Azure-based digital platforms and play an integral role in protecting an organization’s data. 

All video recorded modules for “AZ-500 Azure Security Technologies” are available below:

• AZ-500 Course Introduction (1 of 17)
• AZ-500 Secure Azure Solutions With Azure Active Directory (2 of 17)
• AZ-500 Deploy Azure AD Identity Protection (3 of 17)
• AZ-500 Configure Azure AD Privliged Identity Management (4 of 17)
• AZ-500 Design An Enterprise Governance Strategy (5 of 17)
• AZ-500 Implement Hybrid Identity (6 of 17)
• AZ-500 Implement Perimeter Security (7 of 17)
• AZ-500 Configure Network Security (8 of 17)
• AZ-500 Configure And Manage Host Security (9 of 17)
• AZ-500 Enable Containers Security (10 of 17)
• AZ-500 Deploy And Secure Azure Key Vault (11 of 17)
• AZ-500 Configure Application Security Features (12 of 17)
• AZ-500 Implement Storage Security (13 of 17)
• AZ-500 Configure And Manage SL Database Security (14 of 17)
• AZ-500 Configure And Manage Azure Monitor (15 of 17)
• AZ-500 Enable And Manage Microsoft Defender For Cloud (16 of 17)
• AZ-500 Configure And Monitor Microsoft Sentinel (17 of 17)

A written, non-video recorded version of this course, AZ-500 Azure Security Technologies, is available on-demand at:

• Course AZ-500T00-A: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies

We recently published a FREE special 31-module on-demand video training course, “AZ-305 Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions”, where instructors were video-recorded for all modules.

This course teaches Azure Solution Architects how to design infrastructure solutions. Course topics cover governance, compute, application architecture, storage, data integration, authentication, networks, business continuity, and migrations. The course combines lecture with case studies to demonstrate basic architect design principles.

Audience Profile

Successful students have experience and knowledge in IT operations, including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance. Students also have experience designing and architecting solutions. Before attending this course, students must have previous experience deploying or administering Azure resources and strong conceptual knowledge of:

• Azure compute technologies such as VMs, containers and serverless solutions
• Azure virtual networking to include load balancers
• Azure Storage technologies (unstructured and databases)
• General application design concepts such as messaging and high availability

All video recorded modules for “AZ-305 Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions” are available below:

• AZ-305 Course Introduction (1 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design For Governance Case Study (2 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design Governance – Part 1 (3 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design Governance – Part 2 (4 of 29)
• AZ-305 Compute Solutions Case Study (5 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design For A Compute Solution – Part 1 (6 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design For A Compute Solution – Part 2 (7 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Non-relational Data Storage Case Study (8 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Non-relational Data Storage Solution – Part 1 (9 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Non-relational Data Storage Solution – Part 2 (10 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Relational Storage Solution Case Study (11 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Relational Storage Solution – Part 1 (12 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Relational Storage Solution – Part 2 (13 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Data Integration Solution (14 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Data Integration Solution Case Study (15 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design An Application Architecture Solution (16 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design An Application Architecture Solution Case Study (17 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design Authentication And Authorization Solutions (18 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design Authentication And Authorization Solutions Case Study (19 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Solution To Log And Monitor Azure Resources (20 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Solution To Log And Monitor Azure Resources Case Study (21 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Network Infrastructure Solution Case Study (22 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Network Infrastructure Solution: Network Hybrid (23 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Network Infrastructure Solution: Routing Topology (24 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Network Infrastructure Solution: Delivery And Protection (25 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Business Continuity Solution (26 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Business Continuity Solution Case Study (27 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Migration Solution (28 of 29)
• AZ-305 Design A Migration Solution Case Study (29 of 29)

A written, non-video recorded version of this course, AZ-305 Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, is available on-demand at:

• Course AZ-305T00-A: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

We recently published a FREE special 21-module on-demand video training course, “AZ-400 Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions”, where instructors were video-recorded for all modules.

This course provides the knowledge and skills to design and implement DevOps processes and practices. Students will learn how to plan for DevOps, use source control, scale Git for an enterprise, consolidate artifacts, design a dependency management strategy, manage secrets, implement continuous integration, implement a container build strategy, design a release strategy, set up a release management workflow, implement a deployment pattern, and optimize feedback mechanisms

All video recorded modules for “AZ-400 Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions” are available below:

• AZ-400 Course Introduction ( 1 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Getting started on a DevOps transformation Journey – Part 1 ( 2 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Getting started on a DevOps transformation Journey – Part 2 ( 3 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Getting started on a DevOps transformation Journey – Part 3 ( 4 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Development for Enterprise DevOps – Part 1 ( 5 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Development for Enterprise DevOps – Part 2 ( 6 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement CI with Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions – Part 1 ( 7 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement CI with Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions – Part 2 ( 8 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement CI with Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions – Part 3 ( 9 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Design and implement a release strategy – Part 1 ( 10 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Design and implement a release strategy – Part 2 ( 11 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement a secure continuous deployment using Azure Pipelines – Part 1 ( 12 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement a secure continuous deployment using Azure Pipelines – Part 2 ( 13 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Manage infrastructure as code using Azure and DSC – Part 1 ( 14 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Manage infrastructure as code using Azure and DSC – Part 2 ( 15 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement security and validate code bases for compliance – Part 1 ( 16 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement security and validate code bases for compliance – Part 2 ( 17 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Design and implement a dependency management strategy – Part 1 ( 18 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Design and implement a dependency management strategy – Part 2 ( 19 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement continuous feedback – Part 1 ( 20 of 21 )
• AZ-400 Implement continuous feedback – Part 2 ( 21 of 21 )

Additionally, you may find written versions of this course located at: Course AZ-400T00-A: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps solutions – Training | Microsoft Learn

We are excited to announce that Microsoft has been named a Leader for the fifth year in a row in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud AI Developer Services and are especially proud to be placed furthest for our Completeness of Vision. 

Look to Microsoft’s Cloud AI Developer Services in 3 differentiated areas:

• Cutting-edge APIs and models 
• Fully integrated tooling 
• Unified AI development platform 

Read more at:

• Microsoft is a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud AI Developer Services
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-is-a-leader-in-the-2024-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-cloud-ai-developer-services/

Discover resources for your AI journey

• Learn more about the Microsoft Azure AI portfolio.
• Register for Microsoft Build 2024 and check out the upcoming AI-focused sessions.
• Request access for Azure OpenAI Service.

We recently published a FREE special 20-module on-demand video training course, “AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure”, where instructors were video-recorded for all modules.

This course teaches IT Professionals how to manage core Windows Server workloads and services using on-premises, hybrid, and cloud technologies. The course teaches IT Professionals how to implement and manage on-premises and hybrid solutions such as identity, management, compute, networking, and storage in a Windows Server hybrid environment.

All video recorded modules for “AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure” are available below:

• AZ-800 Course Introduction ( 1 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Introduction to AD DS ( 2 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Manage AD DS domain controllers and FSMO roles ( 3 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Implement Group Policy Objects ( 4 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Manage advanced features of AD DS ( 5 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Implement hybrid identify with Windows Server and Deploy and manage Azure IaaS Active Directory domain controllers in Azure ( 6 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Perform Windows Server secure administration and Describe Windows Server administration tools ( 7 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Perform post-installation configuration of Windows Server and introduction to Just Enough Administration in Windows Server ( 8 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Administer and manage Windows Server Iaas Virtual Machine remotely and manage hybrid workloads with Azure ARC ( 9 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Configure and manage Hyper-V and secure Hyper-V workloads ( 10 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Run containers on Windows Server and orchestrate containers on Windows Server using Kubernetes ( 11 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Plan and deploy Windows Server IaaS Virtual Machines ( 12 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Customize Windows Server IaaS Virtual Machine images and automate the configuration of Windows Server IaaS Virtual Machines ( 13 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Deploy and manage DHCP and implement Windows Server DNS ( 14 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Implement IP Address Management and remote access ( 15 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Implement hybrid network infrastructure ( 16 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Implement DNS for Windows Server IaaS VMs and implement Windows Server IaaS VM IP addressing and routing ( 17 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Manage Windows Server file servers and implement Storage Spaces and Storage Spaces Direct ( 18 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Implement Windows Server Data Deduplication, Windows Server iSCSI?, and Windows Server Storage Replica ( 19 of 20 )
• AZ-800 Overview of Azure file services and implementing Azure File Sync ( 20 of 20 )

Additionally, you may find written versions of this course located at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/courses/az-800t00

We recently published a FREE special 31-module on-demand video training course, “AZ-801 Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services”, where instructors were video-recorded for all modules.

This course teaches IT Professionals to configure advanced Windows Server services using on-premises, hybrid, and cloud technologies. The course teaches IT Professionals how to leverage the hybrid capabilities of Azure, how to migrate virtual and physical server workloads to Azure IaaS, and how to secure Azure VMs running Windows Server. The course also teaches IT Professionals how to perform tasks related to high availability, troubleshooting, and disaster recovery. The course highlights administrative tools and technologies including Windows Admin Center, PowerShell, Azure Arc, Azure Automation Update Management, Microsoft Defender for Identity, Azure Security Center, Azure Migrate, and Azure Monitor.

All video recorded modules for “AZ-801 Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services” are available below:

• AZ-801 Course Introduction ( 1 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Secure Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructure – Part 1 ( 2 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Secure Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructure – Part 2 ( 3 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Secure Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructure – Part 3 ( 4 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Secure Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructure – Part 4 ( 5 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Implementing Windows Server high availability – Part 1 ( 6 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Implementing Windows Server high availability – Part 2 ( 7 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Implement disaster recovery in Windows Server on-premises and hybrid environments – Part 1 ( 8 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Implement disaster recovery in Windows Server on-premises and hybrid environments – Part 2 ( 9 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Migrate servers and workloads in on-premises and hybrid environment – Part 1 ( 10 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Migrate servers and workloads in on-premises and hybrid environment – Part 2 ( 11 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environment – Part 1 ( 12 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environment – Part 2 ( 13 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environment – Part 3 ( 14 of 15 )
• AZ-801 Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environment – Part 4 ( 15 of 15 )

Additionally, you may find written versions of this course located at: Course AZ-801T00-A: Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services – Training | Microsoft Learn

Did you know there is a native solution to import and convert your existing Word or PDF forms on your local hard drive directly into Microsoft Forms. You can also review and edit the form in Microsoft Forms before you send it out.

The “Quick Import” feature allows you to pull in .PDF files to generate your form. Read more about this process below:

• Learn how to create a Microsoft Forms with only 1-click. Convert from PDF or Word
• Convert a Word or PDF form or quiz to Microsoft Forms – Microsoft Support