Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Files Premium tier with zone-redundant storage (ZRS). This is the correct choice because Azure Files Premium tier natively supports the SMB protocol required by existing editing software, while ZRS synchronously replicates data across three availability zones within a single region, ensuring both high availability and the low-latency access critical for multiple users simultaneously editing large 50 GB video files. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to match storage performance tiers with workload requirements—specifically distinguishing Premium (low latency, SMB) from Standard tiers, and ZRS (zone-level resilience) from LRS or GRS. A common trap is selecting Azure NetApp Files, which also supports SMB but is a separate service; remember that Azure Files Premium is the direct, cost-effective PaaS solution for shared SMB video editing. Memory tip: think “PZ” for Premium Zone—like a “pizza” shared across three zones for fast, collaborative editing.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage solutions. 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.
A media company is designing a storage solution for its large video files (average 50 GB each) that are edited by multiple users simultaneously. The solution must support SMB protocol for compatibility with existing editing software and provide low-latency access. The files must be stored in a highly available configuration across multiple availability zones in a single region. Which Azure storage solution should the company recommend?
Azure Files Premium tier with zone-redundant storage (ZRS)
Supports SMB, low-latency, and ZRS for high availability.
Azure Blob Storage Premium tier with geo-redundant storage (GRS)
Why wrong: Does not support SMB protocol.
Azure Disk Storage with shared disks
Why wrong: Not designed for file sharing.
Azure NetApp Files Premium tier with cross-zone replication
Why wrong: More expensive and complex than needed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Files Premium tier with zone-redundant storage (ZRS)
Azure Files Premium tier supports SMB protocol natively, which is required for compatibility with existing editing software. Zone-redundant storage (ZRS) replicates data synchronously across three availability zones within a single region, providing high availability and low-latency access for simultaneous editing of large video files.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Files Premium tier with zone-redundant storage (ZRS)
Why this is correct
Supports SMB, low-latency, and ZRS for high availability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Blob Storage Premium tier with geo-redundant storage (GRS)
Why it's wrong here
Does not support SMB protocol.
Azure Disk Storage with shared disks
Why it's wrong here
Not designed for file sharing.
Azure NetApp Files Premium tier with cross-zone replication
Why it's wrong here
More expensive and complex than needed.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Azure Blob Storage (which is object storage, not file storage) with Azure Files, or assume that geo-redundant storage (GRS) is required for high availability, when zone-redundant storage (ZRS) within a single region is sufficient and provides lower latency for real-time editing workloads.
Detailed technical explanation
Azure Files Premium tier uses SSD-backed storage with sub-millisecond latency and supports SMB 3.0 with multichannel, which allows multiple TCP connections for higher throughput—critical for large 50 GB video files edited simultaneously. ZRS ensures that data is written synchronously to three availability zones, so if one zone fails, the file share remains accessible with no data loss and minimal failover time, unlike asynchronous replication which could lose recent writes.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Design data storage solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Design data storage solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All AZ-305 questions
999 questions across all exam domains
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
AZ-305 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design data storage solutions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design business continuity solutions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design infrastructure solutions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 S3 lifecycle policy questions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 RDS Multi-AZ questions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 IAM policy.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 Route 53 failover questions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 CloudFront.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 NAT gateway questions.
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC endpoint questions.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Files Premium tier with zone-redundant storage (ZRS) — Azure Files Premium tier supports SMB protocol natively, which is required for compatibility with existing editing software. Zone-redundant storage (ZRS) replicates data synchronously across three availability zones within a single region, providing high availability and low-latency access for simultaneous editing of large video files.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This AZ-305 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-305 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.