The answer is to enable read-only cache on the Azure NetApp Files volume. This configuration directly reduces latency for read-heavy workloads by leveraging a high-speed, SSD-based cache local to the compute resources, which serves frequently accessed data without needing to retrieve it from the slower underlying storage tier. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure NetApp Files performance tuning for Linux VMs, often appearing as a distractor against options like increasing service level or enabling cool access—the trap is assuming more throughput alone solves latency, when the read cache specifically targets read-heavy patterns. Remember the mnemonic “RO Cache for RO Loads” to recall that read-only cache is the targeted fix for read-heavy workloads, and it requires zero application changes on the Linux VMs.
AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
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 company uses Azure NetApp Files for high-performance file shares accessed by Linux VMs. They need to reduce latency for read-heavy workloads. Which configuration should you implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable read-only cache on the volume
Azure NetApp Files supports a read-only cache option on volumes, which stores frequently accessed data in a high-speed cache (SSD-based) local to the compute resources. This reduces read latency for read-heavy workloads by serving data from the cache instead of the underlying storage tier. The cache is transparent to the Linux VMs and requires no application changes.
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.
✗
Migrate to Azure Files with Azure File Sync
Why it's wrong here
Azure Files is a different service and may not meet performance needs.
✓
Enable read-only cache on the volume
Why this is correct
Read-only cache reduces latency for read-heavy workloads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable the export policy to allow all clients
Why it's wrong here
Disabling export policy is a security risk and does not reduce latency.
✗
Mount the volume using SMB protocol
Why it's wrong here
SMB is not optimal for Linux read-heavy workloads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Azure NetApp Files with Azure Files, assuming that Azure File Sync or SMB mounting can provide similar performance benefits, when in fact Azure NetApp Files uses NFS and its read-only cache is the specific feature designed for reducing read latency.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The read-only cache in Azure NetApp Files leverages the NFSv3 protocol's ability to serve data from a local cache layer (typically backed by Azure premium SSDs) while the primary data resides on the volume's standard tier. This cache is particularly effective for workloads with a high read-to-write ratio, such as media rendering, genomics analysis, or EDA tools, where repeated reads of the same data blocks benefit from cache hits. The cache is configured at the volume level via the Azure portal or CLI, and its size is proportional to the volume's capacity.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable read-only cache on the volume — Azure NetApp Files supports a read-only cache option on volumes, which stores frequently accessed data in a high-speed cache (SSD-based) local to the compute resources. This reduces read latency for read-heavy workloads by serving data from the cache instead of the underlying storage tier. The cache is transparent to the Linux VMs and requires no application changes.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 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.
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Question Discussion
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