The answer is to enable the Microsoft.Storage service endpoint on AppSubnet and then allow that subnet on the storage account firewall. This configuration works because a service endpoint extends the virtual network identity to the Azure service, routing traffic from the subnet directly to the storage account over the Microsoft backbone network instead of the public internet. Once the endpoint is enabled on the subnet, you must also explicitly restrict the storage account’s firewall rules to accept traffic only from that subnet, creating a secure, private connection. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how service endpoints differ from Private Link—a common trap is forgetting to configure the storage account firewall after enabling the endpoint, leaving the account still publicly accessible. Remember the two-step rule: first enable the endpoint on the subnet, then lock down the storage account’s network rules to that subnet. A useful memory tip is “Endpoint on the subnet, firewall on the service.”
AZ-104 Implement and Manage Storage Practice Question
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.
Exhibit
Requirement summary:
- Azure VMs in AppSubnet must access StorageAccount1
- Only AppSubnet should be allowed
- The storage account should remain reachable through its public endpoint
- No private IP is required
Based on the exhibit, what should the administrator configure to meet the storage access requirement?
Requirement summary:
- Azure VMs in AppSubnet must access StorageAccount1
- Only AppSubnet should be allowed
- The storage account should remain reachable through its public endpoint
- No private IP is required
A
Enable the Microsoft.Storage service endpoint on AppSubnet and allow that subnet on the storage account.
A service endpoint lets the subnet reach the storage service over the Azure backbone while the storage account still uses its public endpoint. Combined with the storage account's network rules, access can be restricted to AppSubnet only.
B
Create a private endpoint and disable all public network access.
Why wrong: That would change the design to private-only access, which is not what the requirement asks for.
C
Create a VPN gateway between the subnet and the storage account.
Why wrong: VPN gateways provide network connectivity between networks, not service-level access control to a storage account.
D
Attach a NAT gateway to the subnet and add a route table entry.
Why wrong: NAT gateway handles outbound translation, but it does not restrict which subnets may access the storage account.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable the Microsoft.Storage service endpoint on AppSubnet and allow that subnet on the storage account.
Option A is correct because enabling the Microsoft.Storage service endpoint on AppSubnet allows traffic from that subnet to be routed directly to the storage account over the Azure backbone network, bypassing the internet. By then configuring the storage account firewall to allow access only from that subnet, the administrator ensures that only resources within AppSubnet can access the storage account, meeting the requirement for restricted access.
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 the Microsoft.Storage service endpoint on AppSubnet and allow that subnet on the storage account.
Why this is correct
A service endpoint lets the subnet reach the storage service over the Azure backbone while the storage account still uses its public endpoint. Combined with the storage account's network rules, access can be restricted to AppSubnet only.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a private endpoint and disable all public network access.
Why it's wrong here
That would change the design to private-only access, which is not what the requirement asks for.
✗
Create a VPN gateway between the subnet and the storage account.
Why it's wrong here
VPN gateways provide network connectivity between networks, not service-level access control to a storage account.
✗
Attach a NAT gateway to the subnet and add a route table entry.
Why it's wrong here
NATgateway handles outbound translation, but it does not restrict which subnets may access the storage account.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse service endpoints with private endpoints, assuming private endpoints are always required for secure access, when in fact service endpoints are simpler and sufficient for scenarios where only subnet-level restriction is needed without full network isolation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Service endpoints extend the virtual network identity to Azure services, allowing traffic to flow over the Microsoft backbone without traversing the internet. When a service endpoint is enabled on a subnet, Azure automatically adds a route for the service’s public IP prefixes to the subnet’s route table, ensuring traffic is optimized and secure. In contrast, private endpoints use a private IP from the VNet and require DNS configuration to resolve the storage account’s FQDN to that private IP, which adds complexity but provides complete network isolation.
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 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: Enable the Microsoft.Storage service endpoint on AppSubnet and allow that subnet on the storage account. — Option A is correct because enabling the Microsoft.Storage service endpoint on AppSubnet allows traffic from that subnet to be routed directly to the storage account over the Azure backbone network, bypassing the internet. By then configuring the storage account firewall to allow access only from that subnet, the administrator ensures that only resources within AppSubnet can access the storage account, meeting the requirement for restricted access.
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.