The answer is to create a private endpoint for the storage account and link the appropriate private DNS zone. This is correct because a private endpoint assigns the storage account a private IP address from the VM’s virtual network, allowing the VM to reach the blob service over a private IP without traversing the internet. The private DNS zone is essential for resolving the storage account’s fully qualified domain name to that private IP, ensuring seamless connectivity. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to secure Azure PaaS services by integrating them into a virtual network, often appearing in case studies where you must choose between service endpoints and private endpoints—a common trap is forgetting the DNS zone, which breaks name resolution. Remember the memory tip: “Private IP needs private DNS” to link the endpoint and resolution.
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
vm-app01 in subnet appsubnet
nslookup mystorageacct.blob.core.windows.net
Server: 168.63.129.16
Name: mystorageacct.blob.core.windows.net
Address: 20.62.14.8
Storage account settings:
Public network access: Disabled
Private endpoint connections: None
Business requirement: the VM must reach the blob service over a private IP address.
Based on the exhibit, which change should you make so the VM reaches the blob service over a private IP address?
vm-app01 in subnet appsubnet
nslookup mystorageacct.blob.core.windows.net
Server: 168.63.129.16
Name: mystorageacct.blob.core.windows.net
Address: 20.62.14.8
Storage account settings:
Public network access: Disabled
Private endpoint connections: None
Business requirement: the VM must reach the blob service over a private IP address.
A
Enable a service endpoint on the subnet and keep the current DNS configuration.
Why wrong: Service endpoints do not assign a private IP address to the storage service. They still use the public endpoint, so this does not satisfy the requirement shown in the exhibit.
B
Create a private endpoint for the storage account and link the appropriate private DNS zone.
A private endpoint gives the storage service a private IP address inside the VNet, and private DNS ensures the blob name resolves to that private address. That directly matches the requirement to reach the service privately while keeping public network access disabled.
C
Assign the VM a public IP address and allow it through the storage firewall.
Why wrong: A public IP exposes the VM unnecessarily and still uses the public storage endpoint. It increases exposure and does not provide the private-IP path required in the exhibit.
D
Add the VM to a network security group that allows outbound TCP 443 to Azure Storage.
Why wrong: NSG rules can permit or deny traffic, but they do not create private connectivity. The name still resolves to a public address until a private endpoint and DNS are configured.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a private endpoint for the storage account and link the appropriate private DNS zone.
Option B is correct because a private endpoint assigns the storage account a private IP address from the VM's virtual network, enabling direct connectivity over a private IP. Linking the private endpoint to a private DNS zone ensures that the storage account's FQDN resolves to the private IP instead of the public endpoint, meeting the requirement without exposing traffic to the internet.
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.
✗
Enable a service endpoint on the subnet and keep the current DNS configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Service endpoints do not assign a private IP address to the storage service. They still use the public endpoint, so this does not satisfy the requirement shown in the exhibit.
✓
Create a private endpoint for the storage account and link the appropriate private DNS zone.
Why this is correct
A private endpoint gives the storage service a private IP address inside the VNet, and private DNS ensures the blob name resolves to that private address. That directly matches the requirement to reach the service privately while keeping public network access disabled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Assign the VM a public IP address and allow it through the storage firewall.
Why it's wrong here
A public IP exposes the VM unnecessarily and still uses the public storage endpoint. It increases exposure and does not provide the private-IP path required in the exhibit.
✗
Add the VM to a network security group that allows outbound TCP 443 to Azure Storage.
Why it's wrong here
NSG rules can permit or deny traffic, but they do not create private connectivity. The name still resolves to a public address until a private endpoint and DNS are configured.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse service endpoints (which only provide firewall-level access via the public endpoint) with private endpoints (which provide a true private IP address and private DNS resolution), leading them to choose Option A incorrectly.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Service endpoints do not assign a private IP address to the storage service. They still use the public endpoint, so this does not satisfy the requirement shown in the exhibit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A private endpoint uses a network interface with a private IP from the subnet, and traffic is routed via Microsoft's backbone network, never leaving the Azure backbone. The private DNS zone (privatelink.blob.core.windows.net) must be linked to the VM's virtual network to override public DNS resolution; without this link, the FQDN still resolves to the public IP, breaking private connectivity. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for compliance requirements that mandate no public internet exposure for storage access.
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: Create a private endpoint for the storage account and link the appropriate private DNS zone. — Option B is correct because a private endpoint assigns the storage account a private IP address from the VM's virtual network, enabling direct connectivity over a private IP. Linking the private endpoint to a private DNS zone ensures that the storage account's FQDN resolves to the private IP instead of the public endpoint, meeting the requirement without exposing traffic to the internet.
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 →
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.
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.