AZ-104 Implement and Manage Storage Practice Question
A finance web app in AppSubnet must connect to Azure SQL Database over the service's public endpoint. Only AppSubnet should be allowed, and the security team does not want to deploy any private IPs or change DNS. What should you configure?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse service endpoints with private endpoints, assuming private IPs are required for secure connectivity, or they mistakenly think NSG rules alone can restrict access to Azure SQL Database without considering the SQL server firewall.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable the Microsoft.Sql service endpoint on AppSubnet and add a virtual network rule on the SQL server.
Enabling the Microsoft.Sql service endpoint on AppSubnet allows traffic from that subnet to reach Azure SQL Database's public endpoint without requiring public IP addresses or DNS changes. Adding a virtual network rule on the SQL server restricts access exclusively to that subnet, meeting the security requirement without deploying private IPs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A private endpoint for the SQL server and a private DNS zone linked to AppSubnet.
Why it's wrong here
Private endpoints place the SQL service behind a private IP in your virtual network and typically require DNS updates so the app resolves the name to the private address. That directly conflicts with the requirement to avoid private IPs and DNS changes.
When this WOULD be correct
A scenario where the requirement is to connect to Azure SQL Database using a private IP address within the virtual network, and the security team allows DNS changes. For example: 'A web app in AppSubnet must connect to Azure SQL Database privately, without exposing traffic to the public internet. You need to ensure the connection uses a private IP and DNS resolution works from AppSubnet.'
- ✓
Enable the Microsoft.Sql service endpoint on AppSubnet and add a virtual network rule on the SQL server.
Why this is correct
A service endpoint keeps Azure SQL reachable through its public endpoint while allowing access only from the authorized subnet. The subnet must have the Microsoft.Sql service endpoint enabled, and the SQL server must have a virtual network rule that permits AppSubnet. This satisfies the requirement to avoid private IPs and DNS changes while still restricting access to the subnet.
- ✗
Create an NSG rule on AppSubnet to allow outbound TCP 1433 traffic to the SQL server's public IP address.
Why it's wrong here
An NSG can filter traffic at the subnet or NIC level, but Azure SQL authorization is not granted by an NSG alone. Azure SQL requires either firewall rules or a virtual network rule tied to a service endpoint for subnet-based access control.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question required restricting outbound traffic from AppSubnet to only the SQL server's public IP for security compliance, and the SQL server's firewall already allowed the subnet's public IP range, then an NSG rule would be the correct answer.
- ✗
Publish the AppSubnet public IP address range in the SQL server firewall as an allow list.
Why it's wrong here
A subnet's private address range is not a valid public IP allow list, and this approach does not provide subnet-based authorization. The correct control for this scenario is a service endpoint plus a virtual network rule.
When this WOULD be correct
A scenario where a specific subnet's public IP range is static and the SQL server must be accessible from the internet (not just the subnet), and the requirement is to allow only that subnet's public IPs while still using the public endpoint. For example, a legacy application that cannot use service endpoints or private endpoints.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The AZ-104 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Enable the Microsoft.Sql service endpoint on AppSubnet and add a virtual network rule on the SQL server.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
A service endpoint keeps Azure SQL reachable through its public endpoint while allowing access only from the authorized subnet. The subnet must have the Microsoft.Sql service endpoint enabled, and the SQL server must have a virtual network rule that permits AppSubnet. This satisfies the requirement to avoid private IPs and DNS changes while still restricting access to the subnet.
✗A private endpoint for the SQL server and a private DNS zone linked to AppSubnet.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The question requires connecting over the SQL server's public endpoint, but a private endpoint uses a private IP address, which contradicts the requirement to not deploy any private IPs. Additionally, the security team does not want to change DNS, but a private endpoint typically requires a private DNS zone to resolve the server name to the private IP.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A scenario where the requirement is to connect to Azure SQL Database using a private IP address within the virtual network, and the security team allows DNS changes. For example: 'A web app in AppSubnet must connect to Azure SQL Database privately, without exposing traffic to the public internet. You need to ensure the connection uses a private IP and DNS resolution works from AppSubnet.'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse private endpoints with service endpoints, thinking both provide secure connectivity, but private endpoints are for private IP scenarios, not for accessing the public endpoint with subnet-level access control.
✗Create an NSG rule on AppSubnet to allow outbound TCP 1433 traffic to the SQL server's public IP address.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
NSG rules control traffic within the virtual network but do not bypass the SQL server's firewall. The SQL server's public endpoint still requires firewall rules to allow the source IP, and NSG rules alone cannot grant access.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question required restricting outbound traffic from AppSubnet to only the SQL server's public IP for security compliance, and the SQL server's firewall already allowed the subnet's public IP range, then an NSG rule would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think NSG rules can control access to Azure PaaS services, but they overlook that PaaS firewalls are separate and must also allow the traffic.
✗Publish the AppSubnet public IP address range in the SQL server firewall as an allow list.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The question requires that only AppSubnet be allowed to connect, but publishing the AppSubnet public IP range in the firewall allows any subnet with those IPs, and the SQL server's public endpoint remains accessible from the internet if the firewall rule is misconfigured. Additionally, the security team wants to avoid using private IPs or changing DNS, but this option does not restrict access to only AppSubnet.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A scenario where a specific subnet's public IP range is static and the SQL server must be accessible from the internet (not just the subnet), and the requirement is to allow only that subnet's public IPs while still using the public endpoint. For example, a legacy application that cannot use service endpoints or private endpoints.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that adding the subnet's public IP range to the firewall is a simple way to restrict access, but they overlook that the subnet's public IPs can change (unless using a NAT gateway) and that this does not enforce network-level access control like a service endpoint does.
Analysis generated from the official AZ-104blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Managed Identities for Azure Resources
Key term
Service endpoint
A service endpoint is a specific network address (URL or IP/port) that client applications use to access the functionality or data of a cloud or web service.
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-104 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-104 exam.