The answer is to migrate the file share to Azure Files and use Azure Migrate for a lift-and-shift of the monolithic application. This combination is correct because it minimizes code changes by moving the existing VMs as-is while replacing the on-premises shared file system with Azure Files, which provides low-latency SMB access without refactoring the application’s architecture. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of migration strategies for legacy monolithic applications, where the key constraint is preserving code integrity. A common trap is choosing containerization or microservices, which require significant rework and violate the “minimize changes” requirement. Remember the memory tip: “Lift the VM, shift the share” — keep the app unchanged and swap the file storage to a managed Azure service.
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure 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.
Your company plans to migrate a legacy on-premises application to Azure. The application has a monolithic architecture and requires low-latency access to a shared file system. You need to choose a migration strategy that minimizes changes to the application code. Which TWO options should you recommend? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Azure Migrate to perform a lift-and-shift migration to Azure VMs
Option A and Option D are correct. Azure Migrate with lift-and-shift moves VMs as-is, minimizing code changes. Azure Files provides a managed file share that can be accessed via SMB. Option B is wrong because refactoring to containers requires code changes. Option C is wrong because Azure NetApp Files is also a file share but is more expensive and complex for this scenario. Option E is wrong because rearchitecting to microservices is a major change.
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.
✓
Use Azure Migrate to perform a lift-and-shift migration to Azure VMs
Why this is correct
Lift-and-shift minimizes code changes by moving VMs as-is.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Refactor the application to run in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Why it's wrong here
Refactoring requires significant code changes.
✓
Migrate the file share to Azure Files
Why this is correct
Azure Files provides SMB file shares with minimal changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Migrate the file share to Azure NetApp Files
Why it's wrong here
Azure NetApp Files is also a file share but is not necessary; Azure Files is simpler.
✗
Rearchitect the application to use a microservices architecture
Why it's wrong here
Rearchitecting is a major change and not minimal.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Azure Migrate to perform a lift-and-shift migration to Azure VMs — Option A and Option D are correct. Azure Migrate with lift-and-shift moves VMs as-is, minimizing code changes. Azure Files provides a managed file share that can be accessed via SMB. Option B is wrong because refactoring to containers requires code changes. Option C is wrong because Azure NetApp Files is also a file share but is more expensive and complex for this scenario. Option E is wrong because rearchitecting to microservices is a major change.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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