Azure Architect L2 Interview Questions

Summary

In this video, Kieran shares valuable insights from his second-round interview for an architect-level role at a top MNC. He discusses key topics like the differences between Technical and Solution Architects, Greenfield vs. Brownfield approaches, handling performance issues, and strategies for cost optimization. Kieran also provides tips on migrating internal vs. internet-facing applications, staying updated with technology, and mastering basic concepts like service and private endpoints. His experiences and solutions offer a practical guide for aspiring architects to prepare for similar high-level technical interviews.

Takeaways

• 😀 Introduce yourself clearly in interviews, and understand the difference between a Technical Architect and a Solution Architect.
• 😀 A Technical Architect focuses on designing solutions based on given requirements, while a Solution Architect addresses specific problems and provides tailored solutions.
• 😀 Be prepared to explain your approach to both Greenfield (starting from scratch) and Brownfield (working with existing infrastructure) projects in cloud environments.
• 😀 When addressing performance issues in cloud environments, emphasize minimizing latency, validating resource placement, and choosing the right zones for deployment.
• 😀 Use tools provided by SAP and Microsoft to validate latency between regions and zones to ensure optimal performance in cloud deployments.
• 😀 Understand that different Azure subscriptions might reside in different zones, even within the same region. Always validate the latency and infrastructure setup for each subscription.
• 😀 When migrating on-prem file servers to the cloud, consider security measures, such as private IPs for storage and shared access signatures.
• 😀 Cost optimization should not compromise application performance. Prioritize business needs while looking for cost-saving opportunities.
• 😀 Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies, and actively engage in learning through webinars, online courses, and industry updates.
• 😀 Differentiate your approach when migrating internet-facing applications versus internal applications, focusing on security and scalability for the former and internal communication for the latter.
• 😀 Master basic cloud concepts like service endpoints vs. private endpoints, as understanding traffic flow and resource accessibility is vital for cloud architecture.

Q & A

What is the difference between a Technical Architect and a Solution Architect?

A Technical Architect focuses on designing solutions based on specific technical requirements, whereas a Solution Architect provides solutions to address business problems. While both roles are closely related, the key difference lies in the scope of focus – one is more technical, and the other is more business-oriented.

Can you explain the Greenfield and Brownfield approaches in cloud architecture?

A Greenfield approach refers to building a new solution or infrastructure from scratch, whereas a Brownfield approach deals with existing systems and the task of optimizing or migrating them. Both approaches require different strategies, with Greenfield being ideal for innovation and Brownfield focusing on improving or transitioning legacy systems.

How do you handle performance issues related to different Azure regions and availability zones?

Performance issues can arise due to latency between regions or zones. To tackle this, it’s essential to measure and validate latency using tools provided by Azure. For example, latency testing tools can help assess the communication speed between different zones, ensuring that the architecture minimizes delays for high-performance applications like SAP.

What tools does Azure provide for measuring latency between availability zones?

Azure provides tools such as the Azure Latency Tool, which allows users to measure latency between availability zones. These tools are crucial for selecting the right zones for deploying mission-critical applications and ensuring optimal performance.

When migrating an on-premises file server to Azure, what factors should be considered?

When migrating a file server, factors like selecting the appropriate Azure services, determining the migration strategy, and considering network configurations are crucial. Additionally, you must plan for cost optimization, security (e.g., private endpoints), and ensuring the solution meets both performance and business continuity requirements.

What is the importance of cost optimization in cloud architecture, and how should it be approached?

Cost optimization is critical, but it should not compromise performance. Simply downsizing virtual machines (VMs) to reduce costs may lead to performance issues. A good approach involves balancing business needs with cost considerations, ensuring that the architecture remains efficient and capable of meeting business requirements while minimizing unnecessary expenditures.

How do you determine the appropriate VM size for cloud applications?

Choosing the right VM size requires evaluating the application’s workload, its performance requirements, and the expected traffic. It’s important to consider factors like CPU, memory, disk type, and network performance. For business-critical applications, such as SAP, ensuring the VM size supports high availability and low latency is essential.

How do you handle the challenge of different subscriptions and regions in Azure?

When using multiple subscriptions in Azure, it's important to validate that each subscription aligns with the appropriate region and availability zone. Sometimes, even within the same region, different subscriptions may not share the same zone, which could affect performance and availability. It’s crucial to perform thorough validation before deployment.

What are the key differences between Service Endpoints and Private Endpoints in Azure?

Service Endpoints provide secure connectivity to Azure services over a public IP, whereas Private Endpoints enable private connectivity through a private IP address. Private Endpoints offer better security as they restrict access to Azure resources from within the virtual network, reducing exposure to the public internet.

How do you stay updated with the latest technologies in cloud architecture?

To stay up to date with cloud technologies, continuous learning is essential. I regularly attend webinars, read blogs, take part in online courses, and participate in cloud community discussions. Additionally, exploring cross-technology integration and trends helps me keep an eye on emerging developments and innovations.