- A
Use Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services authentication and grant permissions to the required AD group.
This provides password-based domain authentication for SMB access without using storage keys or SAS. Both Windows and Linux clients can mount the share when they are domain joined and the share permissions are assigned correctly.
- B
Use a private endpoint and rely on network isolation instead of authentication.
Why wrong: Network isolation protects the path, but it does not authenticate users or satisfy the requirement to mount the share securely without keys or SAS.
- C
Use the storage account access key because SMB requires shared-key authentication.
Why wrong: Shared keys are explicitly disallowed, and Azure Files supports identity-based authentication for this scenario.
- D
Use Azure Files NFS authentication because Linux and Windows workloads can both mount it.
Why wrong: NFS is not the right answer for a mixed Windows and Linux SMB requirement, and Windows SMB interoperability is the key design point here.
Azure Files SMB with AD DS Authentication — No Keys or SAS
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage storage. 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.
A Windows VM and a Linux VM in the same on-premises Active Directory Domain Services domain must mount the same Azure Files share over SMB. Security policy forbids storage account keys and long-lived SAS tokens. What should the administrator configure?
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
Use Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services authentication and grant permissions to the required AD group.
Option A is correct because Azure Files supports identity-based authentication over SMB using on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). By enabling AD DS authentication for the storage account and granting share-level permissions to an AD group that includes both the Windows and Linux VMs, the administrator can mount the Azure Files share without using storage account keys or SAS tokens. This satisfies the security policy while allowing SMB access from both operating systems.
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.
- ✓
Use Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services authentication and grant permissions to the required AD group.
Why this is correct
This provides password-based domain authentication for SMB access without using storage keys or SAS. Both Windows and Linux clients can mount the share when they are domain joined and the share permissions are assigned correctly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a private endpoint and rely on network isolation instead of authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Network isolation protects the path, but it does not authenticate users or satisfy the requirement to mount the share securely without keys or SAS.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question required secure network access to Azure Files without traversing the public internet, and authentication was handled separately (e.g., via AD DS), a private endpoint would be correct.
- ✗
Use the storage account access key because SMB requires shared-key authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Shared keys are explicitly disallowed, and Azure Files supports identity-based authentication for this scenario.
When this WOULD be correct
A question that asks for the simplest method to mount an Azure Files share for a single Windows VM without any authentication restrictions, and the security policy does not forbid using storage account keys.
- ✗
Use Azure Files NFS authentication because Linux and Windows workloads can both mount it.
Why it's wrong here
NFS is not the right answer for a mixed Windows and Linux SMB requirement, and Windows SMB interoperability is the key design point here.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified that only Linux clients need to mount the Azure Files share and SMB is not required, or if the environment uses NFSv4.1 and does not include Windows clients, then NFS authentication would be correct.
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.
✓Use Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services authentication and grant permissions to the required AD group.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This provides password-based domain authentication for SMB access without using storage keys or SAS. Both Windows and Linux clients can mount the share when they are domain joined and the share permissions are assigned correctly.
✗Use a private endpoint and rely on network isolation instead of authentication.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Network isolation via a private endpoint does not authenticate users or satisfy the security policy forbidding storage account keys and SAS tokens; it only restricts network access.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question required secure network access to Azure Files without traversing the public internet, and authentication was handled separately (e.g., via AD DS), a private endpoint would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse network security (private endpoint) with authentication, thinking that restricting network access alone meets the security requirement.
✗Use the storage account access key because SMB requires shared-key authentication.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The question explicitly forbids storage account keys, and SMB with Azure Files does not require shared-key authentication when using AD DS authentication.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question that asks for the simplest method to mount an Azure Files share for a single Windows VM without any authentication restrictions, and the security policy does not forbid using storage account keys.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly believe that SMB inherently requires shared-key authentication, overlooking that Azure Files supports Kerberos-based authentication with AD DS.
✗Use Azure Files NFS authentication because Linux and Windows workloads can both mount it.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Azure Files NFS authentication is not supported for Windows clients, and the question requires both Windows and Linux VMs to mount the same share over SMB, not NFS.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified that only Linux clients need to mount the Azure Files share and SMB is not required, or if the environment uses NFSv4.1 and does not include Windows clients, then NFS authentication would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly believe that NFS is the universal protocol for cross-platform file sharing, overlooking that Azure Files NFS is Linux-only and incompatible with Windows SMB requirements.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume NFS is the only cross-platform option for Linux and Windows, overlooking that Azure Files SMB with AD DS authentication supports both operating systems when domain-joined.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Shared keys are explicitly disallowed, and Azure Files supports identity-based authentication for this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Files AD DS authentication leverages Kerberos tickets for identity-based access, allowing both Windows and Linux clients that are domain-joined to authenticate seamlessly. On Linux, the CIFS-utils package with kernel support for Kerberos (e.g., using `mount.cifs` with `sec=krb5`) enables SMB mounting without storing credentials. A common real-world scenario is a hybrid environment where legacy applications on Windows and modern Linux workloads need shared file access without exposing keys.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Implement and Manage Storage — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Implement and Manage Storage practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-104 questions
1,170 questions across all exam domains
- →
AZ-104 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-104 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-104 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Manage Azure Identities and Governance practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Manage Azure Identities and Governance.
Implement and Manage Storage practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Implement and Manage Storage.
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Deploy and Manage Azure Compute.
Implement and Manage Virtual Networking practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Implement and Manage Virtual Networking.
Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources.
AZ-104 Azure RBAC practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 Azure RBAC.
AZ-104 storage account practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 storage account.
AZ-104 virtual network practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 virtual network.
AZ-104 NSG practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 NSG.
AZ-104 Azure Monitor practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 Azure Monitor.
AZ-104 backup practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 backup.
AZ-104 managed identity practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 managed identity.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-104 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-104 question test?
Implement and Manage Storage — This question tests Implement and Manage Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services authentication and grant permissions to the required AD group. — Option A is correct because Azure Files supports identity-based authentication over SMB using on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). By enabling AD DS authentication for the storage account and granting share-level permissions to an AD group that includes both the Windows and Linux VMs, the administrator can mount the Azure Files share without using storage account keys or SAS tokens. This satisfies the security policy while allowing SMB access from both operating systems.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on AZ-104
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A Windows VM and a Linux VM are both joined to the same Active Directory Domain Services domain. Which two authentication methods can be used to mount the same Azure Files share over SMB? Select two.
easy- ✓ A.Storage account key
- ✓ B.Active Directory Domain Services credentials
- C.Blob SAS token
- D.Network security group rule
- E.Azure resource lock
Why A: Option A is correct because the storage account key provides administrative access to the Azure Files share, allowing any SMB client (Windows or Linux) to mount the share by using the key as the credential. Option B is correct because when both VMs are joined to the same Active Directory Domain Services domain, the Azure Files share can be enabled for AD DS authentication, allowing domain-joined clients to mount the share using their domain credentials.
Keep practising
More AZ-104 practice questions
- A storage automation service principal must upload, read, and delete blob data in one container by using Microsoft Entra…
- A subnet contains several application servers. You need to allow inbound TCP 3389 only from a management subnet named Su…
- A subscription admin wants to investigate who changed a resource and also review the platform-generated events for that…
- Based on the exhibit, which Azure feature should the administrator use to track this kind of platform-wide service issue…
- An administrator wants a script running on an Azure VM to create a resource in Azure without storing any passwords or cl…
- A PowerShell script runs on an Azure VM every night and uses Azure CLI commands to create tags and VM resources in anoth…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.