Cloud Computing Study Guide - 03
Study Guide
Beginner → Exam Ready
By Levi J.
2026 Edition
Azure Fundamentals
Azure Overview
Azure is a distributed cloud platform with data centers worldwide. It supports:
Global cloud deployment
Compliance (meeting regulations)
High availability (services remain running)
Geographies and Regions
Geography
A geography is a discrete market area aligned with countries or regions (e.g., US, Europe, China).
Purpose:
Data Residency: Data must be stored in a specific location
Compliance: Meeting with local regulations
Example: Azure China is physically stored to meet strict regulations.
Region
A group of data centers located within a geography together to provide:
Redundancy: Backup systems
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, Cloud Computing Study Guide - 03
Availability: Services stay online
Examples: West US, East US, North Europe
Region Pairs
Azure regions within the same geography paired together to:
Replicate services
Improve disaster recovery
Examples:
West US | East US
UK West | UK South
Key Points:
Microsoft controls region pairing
You choose the deployment region, which determines the pair
Benefits:
Redundancy
Best high availability (ability to recover)
Business continuity
SLA improvements
Availability Zones
Definition
Availability Zones are physically separate locations within a region, with:
Independent power
Independent cooling
Independent networking
Most regions have at least 2 zones.
Page 2 of 6
Study Guide
Beginner → Exam Ready
By Levi J.
2026 Edition
Azure Fundamentals
Azure Overview
Azure is a distributed cloud platform with data centers worldwide. It supports:
Global cloud deployment
Compliance (meeting regulations)
High availability (services remain running)
Geographies and Regions
Geography
A geography is a discrete market area aligned with countries or regions (e.g., US, Europe, China).
Purpose:
Data Residency: Data must be stored in a specific location
Compliance: Meeting with local regulations
Example: Azure China is physically stored to meet strict regulations.
Region
A group of data centers located within a geography together to provide:
Redundancy: Backup systems
Page 1 of 6
, Cloud Computing Study Guide - 03
Availability: Services stay online
Examples: West US, East US, North Europe
Region Pairs
Azure regions within the same geography paired together to:
Replicate services
Improve disaster recovery
Examples:
West US | East US
UK West | UK South
Key Points:
Microsoft controls region pairing
You choose the deployment region, which determines the pair
Benefits:
Redundancy
Best high availability (ability to recover)
Business continuity
SLA improvements
Availability Zones
Definition
Availability Zones are physically separate locations within a region, with:
Independent power
Independent cooling
Independent networking
Most regions have at least 2 zones.
Page 2 of 6
