The answer is the `retentionInDays` parameter. This parameter directly controls how long log data is retained in a Log Analytics workspace, and setting it to 730 or higher satisfies the compliance requirement of at least two years. In the ARM template, `retentionInDays` accepts an integer value representing days, with paid tiers supporting up to 730 days; the default is often 30 days, so you must explicitly modify this value to enforce the longer retention. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this tests your understanding of workspace configuration through infrastructure as code, often appearing in scenarios where compliance mandates override default settings. A common trap is confusing `retentionInDays` with `dailyQuotaGb`—the latter controls ingestion volume, not retention length. Remember the mnemonic: “Retain in Days, not in Quota” to avoid mixing up these parameters.
AZ-305 Practice Question: Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You are deploying a Log Analytics workspace using an ARM template with the parameters shown. Your compliance team requires that all log data be retained for at least 2 years. Which parameter value should you modify?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
retentionInDays
The `retentionInDays` parameter controls how long log data is retained in a Log Analytics workspace. To meet the compliance requirement of at least 2 years (730 days), you must set this value to 730 or higher. The default retention is 30 days for free tiers and up to 730 days for paid tiers, but the parameter must be explicitly modified to enforce the 2-year retention.
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.
✓
retentionInDays
Why this is correct
Retention is set to 365 days; must be changed to 730 or more to meet 2-year requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
workspaceName
Why it's wrong here
Workspace name is just a label, does not affect retention.
✗
sku
Why it's wrong here
SKU determines pricing and features, not retention period.
✗
dailyQuotaGb
Why it's wrong here
Daily quota limits data ingestion, not retention.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `sku` with retention capabilities, assuming that upgrading the SKU automatically extends retention, when in fact `retentionInDays` is an independent parameter that must be explicitly set to meet compliance requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Azure Log Analytics, retention is enforced at the workspace level using the `retentionInDays` property, which accepts values from 30 to 730 days (2 years) for paid tiers. The compliance requirement of 2 years aligns with the maximum retention supported natively; for longer retention, you would need to export data to Azure Storage or use archive policies. Under the hood, Azure Monitor uses a time-partitioned index in the workspace’s data store, and the retention setting triggers automatic purging of partitions older than the specified number of days.
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 identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — This question tests Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: retentionInDays — The `retentionInDays` parameter controls how long log data is retained in a Log Analytics workspace. To meet the compliance requirement of at least 2 years (730 days), you must set this value to 730 or higher. The default retention is 30 days for free tiers and up to 730 days for paid tiers, but the parameter must be explicitly modified to enforce the 2-year retention.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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