The answer is Azure Cache for Redis for the shopping cart, Azure SQL Database for orders, and Azure Cosmos DB for the product catalog. This combination aligns each microservice’s data requirements with the appropriate Azure PaaS storage: Redis provides in-memory key-value storage ideal for high write throughput and low latency, even if data loss is acceptable; Azure SQL Database delivers the ACID compliance and strong consistency needed for transactional order data; and Cosmos DB supports semi-structured data with complex queries and global distribution for low-latency reads. On the AZ-305 exam, this question tests your ability to match workload patterns to Azure data services, a core skill for designing storage for microservices on AKS. A common trap is assuming Cosmos DB can handle ACID transactions, but it sacrifices strict consistency for scalability, while Azure SQL Database is overkill for high-write key-value scenarios. Remember the mnemonic “SOP”: Shopping cart needs Speed (Redis), Orders need Precision (SQL), and Products need Planet-scale (Cosmos DB).
AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage 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.
AdventureWorks is a global retailer with a cloud-native architecture. They have a microservices application deployed on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). Each microservice needs to store its own data. The data requirements vary: (1) Shopping cart service: key-value data with high write throughput and low latency, data can be lost if not critical; (2) Order service: transactional data with strong consistency and ACID compliance; (3) Product catalog service: semi-structured product data that supports complex queries and is globally distributed for low-latency reads. The solution must use Azure PaaS services and minimize operational overhead. You need to design the data storage for each microservice. What should you recommend?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure Cache for Redis for shopping cart, Azure SQL Database for orders, Azure Cosmos DB for product catalog.
Option B is correct. For the shopping cart, Azure Cache for Redis provides in-memory key-value storage with low latency. For the order service, Azure SQL Database provides ACID compliance. For the product catalog, Azure Cosmos DB provides global distribution and complex query support. Option A is wrong because Cosmos DB is not ACID-compliant for orders. Option C is wrong because Azure Table Storage is not ACID-compliant. Option D is wrong because Azure SQL Database is not ideal for high-write key-value.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 Cosmos DB for all three services.
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB is not ACID-compliant for orders.
✗
Azure Table Storage for shopping cart, Azure SQL Database for orders, Azure Cosmos DB for product catalog.
Why it's wrong here
Table Storage lacks low latency for high-write key-value.
✓
Azure Cache for Redis for shopping cart, Azure SQL Database for orders, Azure Cosmos DB for product catalog.
Why this is correct
Best fit for each requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Azure SQL Database for all three services.
Why it's wrong here
Not ideal for high-write key-value or global distribution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related AZ-305 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Cache for Redis for shopping cart, Azure SQL Database for orders, Azure Cosmos DB for product catalog. — Option B is correct. For the shopping cart, Azure Cache for Redis provides in-memory key-value storage with low latency. For the order service, Azure SQL Database provides ACID compliance. For the product catalog, Azure Cosmos DB provides global distribution and complex query support. Option A is wrong because Cosmos DB is not ACID-compliant for orders. Option C is wrong because Azure Table Storage is not ACID-compliant. Option D is wrong because Azure SQL Database is not ideal for high-write key-value.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related AZ-305 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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