- A
Azure API Management with on-premises gateway
Why wrong: API Management is designed for HTTP APIs, not custom TCP protocols. The on-premises gateway also requires inbound connectivity.
- B
Azure Relay Hybrid Connections
Correct. Hybrid Connections allow secure, outbound-only connections from on-premises to Azure, suitable for any TCP-based protocol.
- C
Azure Application Gateway with private link
Why wrong: Application Gateway handles HTTP/HTTPS traffic and requires inbound ports. Private link also requires private endpoint setup, which may not be suitable for custom TCP.
- D
Azure ExpressRoute
Why wrong: ExpressRoute provides a dedicated private connection but requires significant setup and is unnecessary for the stated requirement for a single endpoint. It also doesn't solve the inbound port restriction.
Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Relay Hybrid Connections. This service is the correct choice because it enables secure bidirectional communication between an on-premises TCP endpoint and a cloud service like Azure Logic Apps without requiring any inbound firewall ports to be opened. The on-premises Windows service initiates an outbound connection to the Azure Relay over port 443 (HTTPS), creating a persistent tunnel; the Logic App then sends data through the relay, which forwards it over that already-established outbound tunnel, satisfying the network security policy. On the AZ-204 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid connectivity patterns, often appearing as a distractor against VPN Gateway or Azure Service Bus—remember that Hybrid Connections are specifically for TCP-based, bidirectional relay without VPN overhead. A key memory tip: think of the on-premises service as the one that always “calls home” to Azure, never the other way around, so no inbound ports are ever needed.
AZ-204 Practice Question: Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services
This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of connect to and consume azure services and third-party services. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Your company has an on-premises Windows service that exposes a custom TCP endpoint. You are building an Azure Logic App that needs to send data to this endpoint. Due to network security policies, you cannot open inbound ports in the firewall. You need to establish a secure bidirectional connection without configuring a VPN. Which Azure service should you use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Relay Hybrid Connections
Azure Relay Hybrid Connections enable secure bidirectional communication between on-premises services and cloud applications without opening inbound firewall ports. The on-premises service initiates an outbound connection to the Azure Relay over port 443 (HTTPS), and the Logic App sends data through the relay, which forwards it over the already-established outbound tunnel. This satisfies the requirement for a secure, bidirectional connection without VPN or inbound port exposure.
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.
- ✗
Azure API Management with on-premises gateway
- ✓
Azure Relay Hybrid Connections
Why this is correct
Correct. Hybrid Connections allow secure, outbound-only connections from on-premises to Azure, suitable for any TCP-based protocol.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure Application Gateway with private link
- ✗
Azure ExpressRoute
Why it's wrong here
ExpressRoute provides a dedicated private connection but requires significant setup and is unnecessary for the stated requirement for a single endpoint. It also doesn't solve the inbound port restriction.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Relay with Azure API Management or Application Gateway, assuming they can handle arbitrary TCP traffic, but only Hybrid Connections provide the outbound-initiated tunnel required when inbound ports are blocked.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Relay Hybrid Connections use WebSocket tunneling over HTTPS (port 443) initiated by the on-premises Hybrid Connection Manager (HCM) or a custom listener. The relay listener creates a secure outbound connection to the Azure Relay namespace, and the cloud side (e.g., Logic App) sends messages through the relay, which are forwarded over the existing tunnel. This supports TCP-based protocols (e.g., custom TCP, HTTP, WebSocket) and is ideal for legacy services that cannot expose inbound ports.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services — This question tests Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Relay Hybrid Connections — Azure Relay Hybrid Connections enable secure bidirectional communication between on-premises services and cloud applications without opening inbound firewall ports. The on-premises service initiates an outbound connection to the Azure Relay over port 443 (HTTPS), and the Logic App sends data through the relay, which forwards it over the already-established outbound tunnel. This satisfies the requirement for a secure, bidirectional connection without VPN or inbound port exposure.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-204 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-204 exam.
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