The answer is an Azure Automation runbook and an Azure Function. These two resources are correct because an Azure Monitor action group is designed to invoke automated responses when a metric alert threshold is reached, and both runbooks and functions can execute code or scripts to perform remediation, scaling, or restart tasks without manual intervention. On the AZ-104 exam, this concept tests your understanding of alert-driven automation, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must select which compute services an action group can trigger. A common trap is confusing Logic Apps or webhooks with these two, but remember that runbooks and functions are the only first-class, serverless compute targets directly supported for invoking automated workflows. To lock this in, use the memory tip: “Run and Function” — both start with an action, just like an alert starts a response.
AZ-104 Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of monitor and maintain azure resources. 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.
An alert must start automated responses when a metric threshold is reached. Which two resources can an Azure Monitor action group invoke? Select two.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An Azure Automation runbook
Azure Monitor action groups can invoke an Azure Automation runbook to execute automated remediation or response tasks when a metric alert fires. This allows you to trigger scripts or workflows in response to specific conditions, such as scaling resources or restarting services, without manual intervention.
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.
✓
An Azure Automation runbook
Why this is correct
Action groups can trigger runbooks to perform scripted operational tasks automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
An Azure Function
Why this is correct
Action groups can invoke functions so custom code runs when the alert fires.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A virtual network peering connection
Why it's wrong here
Peering connects networks, but it is not something an alert action group can invoke.
✗
A resource lock
Why it's wrong here
Resource locks protect resources from changes and are not alert actions.
✗
A storage account access tier
Why it's wrong here
Access tiers are storage settings and cannot be triggered by an action group.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure resources that can be configured or monitored with resources that can be directly invoked as actions by an alert, leading them to select static resources like peering or locks instead of executable services like runbooks and functions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Monitor action groups use a publisher-subscriber model where alerts publish to the action group, which then dispatches actions via Azure Resource Manager or direct integrations. For Azure Automation runbooks, the action group uses a webhook to start the runbook, requiring the runbook to be published and have a valid webhook URL. For Azure Functions, the action group invokes the function via an HTTP trigger, passing alert payload data in the request body, which allows custom logic to process the alert and take further actions.
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
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-104 question in full detail.
Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources — This question tests Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An Azure Automation runbook — Azure Monitor action groups can invoke an Azure Automation runbook to execute automated remediation or response tasks when a metric alert fires. This allows you to trigger scripts or workflows in response to specific conditions, such as scaling resources or restarting services, without manual intervention.
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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Question Discussion
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