- A
Remove the inbound allow rule from DbSubnet so the default rules can take over.
Why wrong: Removing the allow rule would not fix the outbound deny blocking traffic before it leaves the source subnet.
- B
Move the inbound allow rule on DbSubnet to priority 100 so it is evaluated sooner.
Why wrong: The destination allow rule already exists; the source subnet outbound deny is the actual blocker.
- C
Create an outbound allow rule on AppSubnet with a lower priority number than 200 for TCP 1433 to ASG-Db.
NSG evaluation is priority-based and stateful, but an outbound deny still blocks the initial connection. A higher-priority outbound allow on the source subnet must match before the deny rule. Because the destination rule already allows the traffic, adding or moving the source-side allow above priority 200 resolves the failure without changing the application subnets or ASG design.
- D
Assign the database VM NIC to ASG-App so the destination rule matches a broader group.
Why wrong: Mixing source and destination groups together breaks the intended rule logic and does not address the outbound deny on AppSubnet.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create an outbound allow rule on AppSubnet with a lower priority number than 200 for TCP 1433 to ASG-Db. This is correct because Azure Network Security Group rules are evaluated in priority order, with lower numbers processed first; the existing outbound deny rule at priority 200 blocks all traffic on TCP 1433 to any destination, so a more specific allow rule must be inserted at a higher priority (e.g., 100) to override it. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of NSG rule evaluation order and the use of Application Security Groups for granular traffic control—a common trap is assuming the inbound allow on DbSubnet is sufficient, but outbound traffic is filtered independently. Remember the memory tip: "Deny wins unless a lower-numbered allow overrides it," and always check both inbound and outbound paths when connectivity fails.
AZ-104 Implement and Manage Virtual Networking Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage virtual networking. 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 VM in AppSubnet must reach a database VM in DbSubnet on TCP 1433. AppSubnet's NSG has an outbound deny rule for TCP 1433 to Any at priority 200. DbSubnet's NSG has an inbound allow rule for TCP 1433 from ASG-App to ASG-Db at priority 300. Both NICs are in the correct application security groups. Connectivity tests fail. What should the administrator change?
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
Create an outbound allow rule on AppSubnet with a lower priority number than 200 for TCP 1433 to ASG-Db.
Option C is correct because the AppSubnet's NSG has an outbound deny rule for TCP 1433 to Any at priority 200, which blocks all outbound traffic on that port regardless of destination. To allow the VM in AppSubnet to reach the database VM in DbSubnet, an outbound allow rule must be created with a lower priority number (e.g., 100) so it is evaluated before the deny rule. This rule should specify the destination as ASG-Db (the application security group of the database VM) to precisely permit the required traffic.
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.
- ✗
Remove the inbound allow rule from DbSubnet so the default rules can take over.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the allow rule would not fix the outbound deny blocking traffic before it leaves the source subnet.
- ✗
Move the inbound allow rule on DbSubnet to priority 100 so it is evaluated sooner.
Why it's wrong here
The destination allow rule already exists; the source subnet outbound deny is the actual blocker.
- ✓
Create an outbound allow rule on AppSubnet with a lower priority number than 200 for TCP 1433 to ASG-Db.
Why this is correct
NSG evaluation is priority-based and stateful, but an outbound deny still blocks the initial connection. A higher-priority outbound allow on the source subnet must match before the deny rule. Because the destination rule already allows the traffic, adding or moving the source-side allow above priority 200 resolves the failure without changing the application subnets or ASG design.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Assign the database VM NIC to ASG-App so the destination rule matches a broader group.
Why it's wrong here
Mixing source and destination groups together breaks the intended rule logic and does not address the outbound deny on AppSubnet.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often focus on the inbound rule on the destination subnet, overlooking the outbound deny rule on the source subnet that blocks traffic before it can even reach the destination NSG.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Network Security Groups (NSGs) are stateful in Azure, meaning that if an outbound allow rule permits traffic, the return traffic is automatically allowed without an explicit inbound rule. However, when an outbound deny rule exists at a higher priority (lower number), it overrides any lower-priority allow rules. The priority values range from 100 to 4096, with lower numbers evaluated first. Application Security Groups (ASGs) allow grouping of VMs by logical function, enabling rules that reference ASGs instead of IP addresses, but the rule must be correctly placed on the NSG of the subnet or NIC that initiates the traffic.
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-104 question test?
Implement and Manage Virtual Networking — This question tests Implement and Manage Virtual Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an outbound allow rule on AppSubnet with a lower priority number than 200 for TCP 1433 to ASG-Db. — Option C is correct because the AppSubnet's NSG has an outbound deny rule for TCP 1433 to Any at priority 200, which blocks all outbound traffic on that port regardless of destination. To allow the VM in AppSubnet to reach the database VM in DbSubnet, an outbound allow rule must be created with a lower priority number (e.g., 100) so it is evaluated before the deny rule. This rule should specify the destination as ASG-Db (the application security group of the database VM) to precisely permit the required traffic.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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