Quick Answer
The answer is to configure an NSG rule allowing inbound TCP 3389. This is required because, while the VM has a public IP, Azure’s Network Security Group acts as a stateful firewall at the subnet or NIC level, and by default all inbound traffic from the internet is denied. Without an explicit allow rule for Remote Desktop Protocol traffic on port 3389, connection attempts will be blocked regardless of the public IP. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of NSG default deny behavior and the layered security model—a common trap is assuming a public IP alone grants internet access. Remember the key principle: a public IP provides addressability, but an NSG rule provides accessibility. For a quick memory tip, think “3389 for RDP, or you’ll be denied.”
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage virtual networking. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
You need to allow RDP access from the internet to a Windows VM named VM-Admin01 in Azure. The VM already has a public IP address. Which additional configuration is required?
A private DNS zone
Why wrong: Private DNS zones affect name resolution, not inbound RDP access from the internet.
An NSG rule allowing inbound TCP 3389
RDP requires an inbound allow rule for TCP 3389.
A user-defined route to Azure Monitor
Why wrong: Routing to Azure Monitor does not affect RDP access.
A blob lifecycle management rule
Why wrong: Blob lifecycle rules are unrelated to virtual machine connectivity.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
An NSG rule allowing inbound TCP 3389
An NSG (Network Security Group) rule allowing inbound TCP port 3389 is required to permit Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) traffic from the internet to reach the Windows VM. Even though the VM has a public IP address, Azure NSGs act as a stateful firewall at the subnet or NIC level, and by default all inbound traffic is denied unless explicitly allowed. Without this rule, RDP connection attempts will be blocked.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
A private DNS zone
Why it's wrong here
Private DNS zones affect name resolution, not inbound RDP access from the internet.
An NSG rule allowing inbound TCP 3389
Why this is correct
RDP requires an inbound allow rule for TCP 3389.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
A user-defined route to Azure Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Routing to Azure Monitor does not affect RDP access.
A blob lifecycle management rule
Why it's wrong here
Blob lifecycle rules are unrelated to virtual machine connectivity.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume a public IP address alone is sufficient for inbound internet access, forgetting that Azure VMs are protected by a default-deny NSG that must explicitly allow inbound traffic like RDP.
Detailed technical explanation
NSG rules are evaluated in priority order (lowest number first) and can be applied at the subnet or NIC level; for RDP from the internet, the rule must have Source set to 'Any' or a specific public IP range, Destination set to the VM's private IP or subnet, and Protocol set to TCP. A common subtlety is that if the NSG is applied only at the subnet level and the VM's NIC has a separate NSG, both must allow the traffic (the most restrictive rule applies). In real-world scenarios, you might also need to configure a custom RDP port for security, but the question specifies default RDP (3389).
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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FAQ
Implement and Manage Virtual Networking — This question tests Implement and Manage Virtual Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: An NSG rule allowing inbound TCP 3389 — An NSG (Network Security Group) rule allowing inbound TCP port 3389 is required to permit Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) traffic from the internet to reach the Windows VM. Even though the VM has a public IP address, Azure NSGs act as a stateful firewall at the subnet or NIC level, and by default all inbound traffic is denied unless explicitly allowed. Without this rule, RDP connection attempts will be blocked.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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