The answer is to migrate the applications to Azure App Service with autoscaling enabled. This is the correct choice because Azure App Service natively supports dynamic scale-out based on metrics like CPU or memory, allowing the application to handle variable traffic patterns automatically while scaling down during off-peak hours to minimize costs. The service also fully supports custom authentication and authorization logic, and its built-in low-latency networking between tiers meets the requirement for responsive application performance. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to match compute services to stateful, traffic-variable workloads without over-engineering; a common trap is choosing Azure Functions for its serverless appeal, but it is event-driven and unsuitable for persistent custom auth sessions. Remember the memory tip: "App Service autoscales for apps with state, Functions for fire-and-forget events."
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure solutions. 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.
A healthcare organization is migrating its on-premises applications to Azure. The applications use custom authentication and authorization logic and require low latency between application tiers. The organization needs to ensure that the applications can scale out dynamically based on user demand, and that costs are minimized by only paying for resources when they are used. The applications are expected to have variable traffic patterns, with peak usage during business hours and low usage at night. You need to design a compute solution that meets these requirements. What should you recommend?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Migrate the applications to Azure App Service with autoscaling enabled.
Option B is correct because Azure App Service with autoscaling allows dynamic scaling, supports custom authentication, and you only pay for the resources used. Option A is wrong because Azure Functions is event-driven, not ideal for stateful custom authentication. Option C is wrong because Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) adds complexity and cost for this use case. Option D is wrong because Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets require more management of VMs and are less cost-effective for variable traffic.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Migrate the applications to Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets with autoscaling.
Why it's wrong here
VMs require more management and are less cost-effective than App Service.
✓
Migrate the applications to Azure App Service with autoscaling enabled.
Why this is correct
App Service supports custom auth, autoscaling, and consumption-based billing.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Migrate the applications to Azure Functions with consumption plan.
Why it's wrong here
Functions are for event-driven workloads, not stateful apps with custom auth.
✗
Migrate the applications to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) with cluster autoscaler.
Why it's wrong here
AKS adds operational complexity and cost for simple web apps.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related AZ-305 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Migrate the applications to Azure App Service with autoscaling enabled. — Option B is correct because Azure App Service with autoscaling allows dynamic scaling, supports custom authentication, and you only pay for the resources used. Option A is wrong because Azure Functions is event-driven, not ideal for stateful custom authentication. Option C is wrong because Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) adds complexity and cost for this use case. Option D is wrong because Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets require more management of VMs and are less cost-effective for variable traffic.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related AZ-305 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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