The answer is a Virtual Machine Scale Set with autoscale. This is the correct choice because it dynamically adjusts the number of VM instances based on CPU utilization metrics, automatically scaling out to handle traffic spikes and scaling in when demand drops, which perfectly suits a stateless web service that requires elastic, automated capacity management. On the AZ-104 exam, this question tests your understanding of compute scaling options; a common trap is confusing VMSS autoscale with Azure App Service autoscale or Azure Functions, but the key differentiator is that VMSS gives you full control over the underlying VMs and is ideal for stateless workloads where instances are interchangeable. Remember the memory tip: “Stateless spikes need VMSS clicks”—if the service doesn’t store session data and needs to react to CPU bursts, think VMSS autoscale first.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A stateless web service must handle traffic spikes by adding or removing instances automatically based on CPU usage. Which Azure service fits best?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Virtual machine scale set with autoscale
A Virtual Machine Scale Set (VMSS) with autoscale is the correct choice because it automatically adjusts the number of VM instances based on CPU utilization metrics, enabling the stateless web service to handle traffic spikes by scaling out (adding instances) and scaling in (removing instances) as needed. This aligns with the requirement for a stateless, elastic, and automated scaling solution.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
One larger standalone VM
Why it's wrong here
A larger VM increases capacity, but it does not scale out automatically with demand.
✗
Availability set with two VMs
Why it's wrong here
An availability set improves availability, but it does not automatically add or remove instances.
✓
Virtual machine scale set with autoscale
Why this is correct
A VM scale set with autoscale is designed for stateless workloads that need automatic instance scaling based on metrics.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Recovery Services vault backup
Why it's wrong here
Backup supports recovery, but it does not provide real-time scaling for active traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse high availability (provided by availability sets) with autoscaling, or assume a single large VM can handle spikes via vertical scaling, ignoring the need for horizontal, automated scaling for stateless workloads.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, VMSS autoscale uses Azure Monitor metrics (e.g., Percentage CPU) with a scale-out and scale-in rule set, typically based on a threshold like CPU > 75% for 5 minutes to add instances, and CPU < 25% for 5 minutes to remove instances. The scale set uses a load balancer (Azure Load Balancer or Application Gateway) to distribute traffic across instances, and the autoscale engine evaluates metrics every 1 minute to trigger scaling actions, ensuring rapid response to load changes.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-104 question in full detail.
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — This question tests Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Virtual machine scale set with autoscale — A Virtual Machine Scale Set (VMSS) with autoscale is the correct choice because it automatically adjusts the number of VM instances based on CPU utilization metrics, enabling the stateless web service to handle traffic spikes by scaling out (adding instances) and scaling in (removing instances) as needed. This aligns with the requirement for a stateless, elastic, and automated scaling solution.
What should I do if I get this AZ-104 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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