Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
You need to store billions of small log entries (each ~200 bytes) generated from multiple IoT devices. The logs are written in chronological order and are rarely updated. You need to run queries that scan large ranges of data by timestamp each day. You want to maximize write throughput and minimize storage costs. Which Azure Storage solution should you choose?
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
Distractor review
Azure Cosmos DB SQL API with a collection partitioned by timestamp.
Cosmos DB provides low-latency access and flexible queries, but it is significantly more expensive than Azure Table Storage for high-volume log ingestion. The cost per GB is much higher, and write throughput is billed per RU.
B
Distractor review
Azure Blob Storage with append blobs and a custom index for timestamp queries.
Append blobs are good for sequential writes, but querying by timestamp across billions of small entries would require a separate index and is less efficient than Table Storage's built-in row key indexing.
C
Best answer
Azure Table Storage with a partition key combining device ID and date, and row key as timestamp.
Correct. Table Storage provides high throughput at low cost. By designing the partition key appropriately, you can achieve efficient range queries on timestamps and handle billions of entries.
D
Distractor review
Azure SQL Database with a clustered columnstore index.
SQL Database is not designed for such high-volume unstructured log data at low cost. It would be expensive and the schema would need to be rigid, while Table Storage provides schema-less tables.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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.
Question 1
An application stores customer invoices in Azure Blob Storage. Deleted blobs must be recoverable for 14 days. What should be enabled?
Question 2
You are deploying a containerized application to Azure Container Instances. The application requires a custom domain name and SSL/TLS termination. You need to configure these features. Which resource should you create alongside the container group?
Question 3
A developer needs to run a Kusto query against application request data to identify 95th percentile latency by operation. Where should the query be run? The architecture review board prefers a managed AWS-native control.
Question 4
You are developing a web app that authenticates users via Microsoft Entra ID. The app needs to read the user's profile and send emails on their behalf. You want to minimize user consent prompts. Which OAuth 2.0 grant type should you use?
Question 5
You are developing an Azure Function that processes messages from an Azure Service Bus queue. The function uses a Service Bus queue trigger and runs on a Consumption Plan. The queue receives a high volume of messages in bursts. You need to ensure that the function scales out to handle the load but does not exceed 10 concurrent instances. Which configuration should you apply?
Question 6
You are monitoring an Azure App Service using Application Insights. You notice that the server response time is high for certain requests. You need to drill down to see which external dependencies (like databases or APIs) are causing the delay. Which Application Insights feature should you use?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Table Storage with a partition key combining device ID and date, and row key as timestamp. — Azure Table Storage is ideal for storing large amounts of structured, non-relational data at low cost. It offers high throughput for write-heavy workloads and allows efficient range queries on the partition key and row key. By using a partition key that combines device ID and date, you can achieve high scalability and cost-effective storage for log data. Cosmos DB is more expensive and better suited for globally distributed, low-latency scenarios. Blob Storage is better for unstructured data. SQL Database is not cost-effective for such high-volume, no-schema data.
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.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.