The answer is to move the allow rule for WebTier-ASG to a priority lower than 100. This is correct because Azure NSG rules are evaluated in priority order, with the lowest number processed first; a default-deny rule at priority 100 blocks all VirtualNetwork-to-VirtualNetwork traffic, so any allow rule must have a priority number lower than 100 to be evaluated before that deny rule and permit traffic on TCP 8443 from the web tier to the app tier. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of NSG rule priority and Application Security Groups, often appearing in exhibits where a default-deny rule traps candidates into thinking no traffic can pass—the key is remembering that a lower priority number overrides a higher one. A common mistake is assuming deny rules always win, but in Azure, the first matching rule applies, so an allow rule with a lower number takes precedence. Memory tip: think of priority like a race—lower numbers start first, so your allow rule must cross the finish line before the deny rule blocks the path.
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.
Exhibit
NSG: nsg-app
Inbound security rules:
- Priority 100 Deny TCP 8443 Source: VirtualNetwork Destination: AppTier-ASG
- Priority 200 Allow TCP 8443 Source: WebTier-ASG Destination: AppTier-ASG
- Priority 300 Allow TCP 443 Source: VirtualNetwork Destination: AppTier-ASG
ASG membership:
- VM-Web1 is in WebTier-ASG
- VM-App1 is in AppTier-ASG
Observed result:
- VM-Web1 cannot connect to VM-App1 on TCP 8443
Based on the exhibit, what should the administrator change to allow only the web tier to reach the app tier on TCP 8443?
NSG: nsg-app
Inbound security rules:
- Priority 100 Deny TCP 8443 Source: VirtualNetwork Destination: AppTier-ASG
- Priority 200 Allow TCP 8443 Source: WebTier-ASG Destination: AppTier-ASG
- Priority 300 Allow TCP 443 Source: VirtualNetwork Destination: AppTier-ASG
ASG membership:
- VM-Web1 is in WebTier-ASG
- VM-App1 is in AppTier-ASG
Observed result:
- VM-Web1 cannot connect to VM-App1 on TCP 8443
A
Move the allow rule for WebTier-ASG to a priority lower than 100.
The deny rule at priority 100 matches all traffic from VirtualNetwork to AppTier-ASG on TCP 8443, including the web tier. The allow rule must evaluate first.
B
Change the deny rule source from VirtualNetwork to Internet.
Why wrong: That would no longer block traffic from the web tier, but it would also weaken the intended protection by allowing broader VirtualNetwork access.
C
Associate the NSG with the virtual machine NIC instead of the subnet.
Why wrong: Changing the NSG association location does not fix rule precedence. The same deny rule would still block the traffic if it remains higher priority.
D
Replace the ASG destination with the subnet address range.
Why wrong: Using the subnet range would not solve the precedence problem and would make the rule less precise than the ASG-based design.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Move the allow rule for WebTier-ASG to a priority lower than 100.
The exhibit shows a default-deny NSG rule at priority 100 that blocks all traffic from VirtualNetwork to VirtualNetwork. To allow only the web tier (WebTier-ASG) to reach the app tier (AppTier-ASG) on TCP 8443, the administrator must move the allow rule for WebTier-ASG to a priority lower than 100 (e.g., 90). This ensures the allow rule is evaluated before the deny rule, as NSG rules are processed in priority order (lowest number first).
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.
✓
Move the allow rule for WebTier-ASG to a priority lower than 100.
Why this is correct
The deny rule at priority 100 matches all traffic from VirtualNetwork to AppTier-ASG on TCP 8443, including the web tier. The allow rule must evaluate first.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Change the deny rule source from VirtualNetwork to Internet.
Why it's wrong here
That would no longer block traffic from the web tier, but it would also weaken the intended protection by allowing broader VirtualNetwork access.
✗
Associate the NSG with the virtual machine NIC instead of the subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the NSG association location does not fix rule precedence. The same deny rule would still block the traffic if it remains higher priority.
✗
Replace the ASG destination with the subnet address range.
Why it's wrong here
Using the subnet range would not solve the precedence problem and would make the rule less precise than the ASG-based design.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often overlook the default-deny rule at priority 100 and assume any allow rule will work regardless of priority, failing to realize that NSG rules are processed in strict priority order and a higher-priority deny will override a lower-priority allow.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Network Security Groups (NSGs) evaluate rules in ascending priority order, and once a rule matches, no further rules are processed. Application Security Groups (ASGs) allow grouping of VM NICs by application role, enabling rule creation based on logical groupings rather than IP addresses. In this scenario, the deny rule at priority 100 blocks all intra-VNet traffic, so any allow rule with a higher priority number (e.g., 110) is never reached; the fix is to assign the allow rule a priority lower than 100.
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.
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: Move the allow rule for WebTier-ASG to a priority lower than 100. — The exhibit shows a default-deny NSG rule at priority 100 that blocks all traffic from VirtualNetwork to VirtualNetwork. To allow only the web tier (WebTier-ASG) to reach the app tier (AppTier-ASG) on TCP 8443, the administrator must move the allow rule for WebTier-ASG to a priority lower than 100 (e.g., 90). This ensures the allow rule is evaluated before the deny rule, as NSG rules are processed in priority order (lowest number first).
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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