- A
Deploy a Log Analytics workspace per region, set retention to 7 years, and use cross-workspace queries from a central Log Analytics workspace or Azure Sentinel.
Workspaces per region reduce data transfer costs and avoid a single point of failure; cross-workspace queries provide centralized querying.
- B
Use Azure Storage Analytics logs and store them in a geo-redundant storage account in each region.
Why wrong: Storage Analytics is limited to storage account operations and does not capture authentication logs for other services.
- C
Use Azure Event Hubs to collect logs from all regions and stream them to a Log Analytics workspace in a central region.
Why wrong: Event Hubs is not designed for long-term log retention; logs would be lost after the retention period (max 7 days).
- D
Deploy a single Log Analytics workspace in one region and configure all VMs to send logs to it.
Why wrong: A single workspace can become a single point of failure and may incur data transfer costs and latency from other regions.
Quick Answer
The most cost-effective solution is to deploy a Log Analytics workspace per region, set retention to 7 years, and use cross-workspace queries from a central Log Analytics workspace or Azure Sentinel. This approach satisfies multi-region logging and central query requirements without introducing single-region failure risks or latency, as each regional workspace stores its own authentication and authorization logs locally while you query them together using a saved cross-workspace query. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of balancing cost, compliance, and resilience in distributed logging architectures—a common trap is assuming a single workspace is cheaper, but that creates a regional dependency and can incur higher data transfer costs. The key insight is that Log Analytics workspaces are regional resources, and long retention of 7 years is supported natively per workspace, making per-region deployment both compliant and cost-effective. Memory tip: think “local store, global query”—each region keeps its own logs, but you see everything from one pane of glass.
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure solutions. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You are designing a logging and monitoring solution for a multi-region application. The application is deployed in three Azure regions. Security requirements mandate that all authentication and authorization logs be retained for 7 years. Logs must be queryable centrally from a single location. What is the most cost-effective way to meet these requirements?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Deploy a Log Analytics workspace per region, set retention to 7 years, and use cross-workspace queries from a central Log Analytics workspace or Azure Sentinel.
Option D is correct because Azure Monitor Log Analytics workspaces can be used in each region, and then you can query across them using cross-workspace queries in the Azure Portal or using Azure Sentinel. Option A is wrong because Log Analytics workspace can store logs for 7 years with retention settings, but using a single workspace for all regions introduces latency and potential data loss if region fails. Option B is wrong because Event Hubs is for real-time streaming, not long-term retention. Option C is wrong because Storage Analytics is for storage accounts only.
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.
- ✓
Deploy a Log Analytics workspace per region, set retention to 7 years, and use cross-workspace queries from a central Log Analytics workspace or Azure Sentinel.
Why this is correct
Workspaces per region reduce data transfer costs and avoid a single point of failure; cross-workspace queries provide centralized querying.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Use Azure Storage Analytics logs and store them in a geo-redundant storage account in each region.
Why it's wrong here
Storage Analytics is limited to storage account operations and does not capture authentication logs for other services.
- ✗
Use Azure Event Hubs to collect logs from all regions and stream them to a Log Analytics workspace in a central region.
Why it's wrong here
Event Hubs is not designed for long-term log retention; logs would be lost after the retention period (max 7 days).
- ✗
Deploy a single Log Analytics workspace in one region and configure all VMs to send logs to it.
Why it's wrong here
A single workspace can become a single point of failure and may incur data transfer costs and latency from other regions.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Design infrastructure solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-305 question test?
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: Deploy a Log Analytics workspace per region, set retention to 7 years, and use cross-workspace queries from a central Log Analytics workspace or Azure Sentinel. — Option D is correct because Azure Monitor Log Analytics workspaces can be used in each region, and then you can query across them using cross-workspace queries in the Azure Portal or using Azure Sentinel. Option A is wrong because Log Analytics workspace can store logs for 7 years with retention settings, but using a single workspace for all regions introduces latency and potential data loss if region fails. Option B is wrong because Event Hubs is for real-time streaming, not long-term retention. Option C is wrong because Storage Analytics is for storage accounts only.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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.
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