Quick Answer
The answer is the Azure Monitor Agent. This is the correct choice because it is the next-generation, unified agent that replaces the legacy Log Analytics agent (also known as MMA or OMS), allowing you to collect security events and performance data from both on-premises servers and Azure VMs using a single deployment. Unlike the older agent, Azure Monitor Agent uses Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to centrally define what data to collect and how to route it to a Log Analytics workspace, which directly supports creating custom alerts for hybrid monitoring. On the AZ-305 exam, this question tests your understanding of modernizing monitoring architecture; a common trap is choosing the Log Analytics agent because it is familiar, but remember that Microsoft has deprecated MMA in favor of AMA for all new deployments. Memory tip: think "AMA = All-in-One Modern Agent" for hybrid environments.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design identity, governance, and monitoring 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.
You are designing a monitoring solution for a hybrid environment with on-premises servers and Azure VMs. You need to collect security events and performance data centrally, and create custom alerts. The solution must use the same agent for both environments. Which agent should you deploy?
Log Analytics agent (MMA)
Why wrong: Legacy agent, being deprecated, not recommended for new deployments.
Azure Monitor Agent
Unified agent for all environments, collects security and performance data.
Microsoft Dependency Agent
Why wrong: Used for VM Insights, not a general monitoring agent.
Azure Diagnostics extension
Why wrong: Primarily for Azure VMs, limited on-premises support.
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 Monitor Agent
Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) is the correct choice because it is the next-generation agent that replaces the legacy Log Analytics agent (MMA) and supports both Windows and Linux machines in hybrid and Azure environments. It collects security events and performance data into a single Log Analytics workspace and enables custom alert rules via data collection rules (DCRs), all with a single agent deployment.
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.
Log Analytics agent (MMA)
Why it's wrong here
Legacy agent, being deprecated, not recommended for new deployments.
Azure Monitor Agent
Why this is correct
Unified agent for all environments, collects security and performance data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Microsoft Dependency Agent
Why it's wrong here
Used for VM Insights, not a general monitoring agent.
Azure Diagnostics extension
Why it's wrong here
Primarily for Azure VMs, limited on-premises support.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Log Analytics agent (MMA) as the 'standard' hybrid agent, not realizing it is being replaced by Azure Monitor Agent, which is the only agent that meets the 'same agent for both environments' requirement with unified data collection rules.
Detailed technical explanation
Azure Monitor Agent uses Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to define which data to collect and where to send it, enabling centralized management via ARM templates or Azure Policy without touching individual agents. It supports the Windows Event Log (e.g., Security, System) and performance counters (e.g., CPU, memory) via the same agent, and can stream data to both Log Analytics workspaces and Azure Monitor Metrics, reducing agent sprawl. In a hybrid scenario, the agent communicates over HTTPS (port 443) to the Azure Monitor service, using Azure Arc for on-premises server authentication and management.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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FAQ
Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — This question tests Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Monitor Agent — Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) is the correct choice because it is the next-generation agent that replaces the legacy Log Analytics agent (MMA) and supports both Windows and Linux machines in hybrid and Azure environments. It collects security events and performance data into a single Log Analytics workspace and enables custom alert rules via data collection rules (DCRs), all with a single agent deployment.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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