AZ-104 Implement and Manage Virtual Networking Practice Question
A VM subnet has an NSG with these custom rules: - Inbound priority 100: Allow TCP 443 from Internet - Outbound priority 100: Deny Any to Internet The VM hosts an app that must download updates from an HTTPS repository on the Internet. The downloads fail. What change should be made?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often focus on inbound rules because the NSG has an inbound allow rule, but the real issue is that outbound traffic is explicitly denied, and they forget that NSGs are stateful only for traffic that matches an allow rule, not for all traffic.
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
✓
Add an outbound allow rule for TCP 443 to Internet or the repository service tag.
The VM's outbound traffic is blocked by the default outbound deny rule (priority 100). Since the app needs to download updates from an HTTPS repository (TCP 443), an outbound allow rule for TCP 443 to the Internet or the repository service tag is required. Inbound rules do not affect outbound traffic, so the existing inbound allow rule is irrelevant to the download failure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add another inbound allow rule for TCP 443 from the repository address.
Why it's wrong here
The VM is the initiator of the HTTPS session, so the failing traffic is the outbound request, not an inbound connection. NSGs are stateful: an inbound allow rule for TCP 443 would apply only to new inbound flows and would not create or permit the reverse outbound flow. If the outbound deny-all rule drops the request SYN before it leaves the subnet, there is no return traffic to match an inbound rule, so this addition cannot resolve the connectivity failure.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question described a scenario where inbound traffic from a specific repository IP was being blocked by a default deny rule, and the VM needed to receive inbound connections from that repository (e.g., a webhook or callback).
- ✓
Add an outbound allow rule for TCP 443 to Internet or the repository service tag.
Why this is correct
The VM is initiating outbound HTTPS sessions, so the outbound direction must permit TCP 443. Because a deny-all outbound rule is blocking traffic to Internet, the fix is to add a higher-priority outbound allow rule that matches the repository destination, such as Internet or a specific service tag. Inbound HTTPS rules do not help traffic leaving the VM.
- ✗
Change the inbound allow rule to priority 50.
Why it's wrong here
NSG rule priority is evaluated independently for inbound and outbound rule lists; a numeric priority only affects ordering within that same direction. Changing an inbound allow rule to priority 50 could reorder how inbound rules are matched, but it has no bearing on outbound evaluation. Since the TCP 443 SYN from the VM is denied by the outbound deny-all rule, no outbound packet ever reaches the repository, and an inbound priority adjustment cannot alter that result.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question described an inbound connection failure (e.g., clients cannot reach the VM on HTTPS) and there were conflicting inbound rules, lowering the priority of the allow rule could resolve the conflict.
- ✗
Remove the VM's public IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the VM's public IP address changes the source IP or SNAT mechanism for outbound traffic, but it does not modify the NSG's outbound deny-all rule. Outbound packets are still evaluated against the subnet's NSG before leaving, and a deny-all outbound rule will block TCP 443 to the repository regardless of whether a public IP is present. In fact, removing the public IP could strip away the only usable public source address and may disable a previously matching allow rule, making the issue worse.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where a VM is exposed to the internet and you need to restrict inbound access to only internal resources, removing the public IP and using a private IP with a VPN or ExpressRoute would be correct to eliminate direct internet exposure.
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.
✓Add an outbound allow rule for TCP 443 to Internet or the repository service tag.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The VM is initiating outbound HTTPS sessions, so the outbound direction must permit TCP 443. Because a deny-all outbound rule is blocking traffic to Internet, the fix is to add a higher-priority outbound allow rule that matches the repository destination, such as Internet or a specific service tag. Inbound HTTPS rules do not help traffic leaving the VM.
✗Add another inbound allow rule for TCP 443 from the repository address.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The issue is outbound traffic being denied by the NSG rule at priority 100. Adding an inbound rule does not affect outbound connectivity; the VM's outbound HTTPS requests are still blocked.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question described a scenario where inbound traffic from a specific repository IP was being blocked by a default deny rule, and the VM needed to receive inbound connections from that repository (e.g., a webhook or callback).
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly think that allowing inbound traffic also permits outbound responses, or they focus on the HTTPS protocol and assume the issue is inbound, overlooking the explicit outbound deny rule.
✗Change the inbound allow rule to priority 50.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The issue is outbound traffic being blocked by the deny rule at priority 100; changing the inbound rule's priority does not affect outbound connectivity.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question described an inbound connection failure (e.g., clients cannot reach the VM on HTTPS) and there were conflicting inbound rules, lowering the priority of the allow rule could resolve the conflict.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that increasing the priority of the inbound rule will somehow override the outbound deny, confusing inbound and outbound traffic flows.
✗Remove the VM's public IP address.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Removing the VM's public IP address would not resolve the outbound traffic block; the VM still needs outbound access to download updates, and removing the public IP would not bypass the NSG deny rule.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where a VM is exposed to the internet and you need to restrict inbound access to only internal resources, removing the public IP and using a private IP with a VPN or ExpressRoute would be correct to eliminate direct internet exposure.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that removing the public IP will force traffic through a different path that bypasses the NSG, or they may confuse inbound and outbound rules, assuming the issue is about inbound access.
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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Learn chapter
Azure App Service Plans and Web Apps
Key term
Subnet
A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network, created by partitioning a larger network address space using subnet masks.
Key term
TCP
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a core internet protocol that ensures data is sent reliably and in order between devices over a network.
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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.