Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
You are designing an Azure Table Storage table to store temperature readings from IoT devices. Each reading includes a device ID (string), timestamp (datetime), temperature value, and location. You need to optimize the table design for this query: "Retrieve all temperature readings for a specific device ID within a given one-hour time range." The query must be efficient and minimize partition scans. Which PartitionKey and RowKey combination should you use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
PartitionKey = device ID, RowKey = timestamp (formatted as inverted ticks)
All readings for a device are in one partition; the sorted RowKey enables a point query range scan, minimizing partition scans.
B
Distractor review
PartitionKey = timestamp (rolled up to day), RowKey = device ID
This scatters a device’s data across many partitions, requiring a full partition scan for the time range.
C
Distractor review
PartitionKey = location, RowKey = device ID
Queries for a specific device would need to search all partitions that contain that device’s data, inefficient.
D
Distractor review
PartitionKey = device ID + timestamp (composite), RowKey = empty
A composite PartitionKey loses the ability to perform an efficient range query on timestamp within a partition; each combination is a separate partition.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Related practice questions
Related AZ-204 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: PartitionKey = device ID, RowKey = timestamp (formatted as inverted ticks) — Using the device ID as PartitionKey places all data for a device in a single partition, and using the timestamp as RowKey (formatted as inverted ticks for optimal sorting) allows an efficient range query within that partition. Other options scatter data across partitions or use composite keys that would require scanning multiple partitions for a single device’s time-range query.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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