The correct answer is to create a snapshot of the data disk before the change and to store application data on a separate managed data disk. This works because a separate data disk decouples application files from the OS, allowing the VM to be rebuilt or reimaged without losing data, while a snapshot provides a point-in-time, crash-consistent rollback point that can quickly restore the disk to its pre-change state. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure managed disk architecture and disaster recovery—specifically, that snapshots are incremental and stored in standard storage, making them cost-effective for rollback, unlike full backups. A common trap is confusing snapshots with Azure Backup or thinking a VM-level snapshot is needed, but the question specifically targets the data disk. Memory tip: “Separate the data, snapshot the state” — keep your app data on its own disk, then snapshot that disk before any risky change.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 developer wants to keep application data separate from the operating system so the VM can be rebuilt without losing files. Before making a risky change, the administrator also wants a fast rollback point for that data disk. Which two actions should the administrator take? Select two.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Store the application data on a separate managed data disk
Option A is correct because storing application data on a separate managed data disk decouples the data from the OS disk. This allows the VM to be rebuilt or reimaged without affecting the application files, as the data disk persists independently. Option B is correct because a snapshot of the data disk provides a point-in-time, crash-consistent backup that can be used to quickly restore the data disk to its pre-change state, enabling fast rollback without needing to rebuild the entire VM.
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.
✓
Store the application data on a separate managed data disk
Why this is correct
Keeps data independent from the OS disk and VM rebuild process.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Create a snapshot of the data disk before the change
Why this is correct
Provides a quick restore point for the disk state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use an ephemeral OS disk for the application files
Why it's wrong here
Ephemeral disks are temporary and are not meant for important data.
✗
Keep the files only on the OS disk and rely on reimaging
Why it's wrong here
Putting data on the OS disk makes recovery and rebuilds riskier.
✗
Delete and recreate the VM from the same image
Why it's wrong here
Recreating the VM does not preserve the current data disk state.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse ephemeral OS disks with persistent data disks, mistakenly thinking ephemeral disks can retain data across VM rebuilds, or they overlook that a snapshot is the only fast rollback mechanism for a data disk, unlike VM reimaging or deletion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Managed data disks in Azure are backed by page blobs in Azure Storage and can be independently attached to VMs, allowing data persistence across VM lifecycle events. Snapshots are incremental and capture only the changes since the last snapshot, enabling efficient storage and fast restoration; they can be used to create a new managed disk or revert an existing one. In practice, combining separate data disks with scheduled snapshots is a common pattern for achieving both data isolation and point-in-time recovery without relying on VM-level backups.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-104 question in full detail.
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — This question tests Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Store the application data on a separate managed data disk — Option A is correct because storing application data on a separate managed data disk decouples the data from the OS disk. This allows the VM to be rebuilt or reimaged without affecting the application files, as the data disk persists independently. Option B is correct because a snapshot of the data disk provides a point-in-time, crash-consistent backup that can be used to quickly restore the data disk to its pre-change state, enabling fast rollback without needing to rebuild the entire VM.
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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