The correct recommendation is to implement Azure AD Connect with password hash synchronization and Azure AD Application Proxy. This solution works because Azure AD Application Proxy enables single sign-on for legacy on-premises applications that lack modern authentication protocols by acting as a reverse proxy, securely publishing the app without requiring any code changes, while password hash synchronization allows users to authenticate to the cloud using their on-premises credentials. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to bridge hybrid identity with legacy app access, often appearing as a distractor against Azure AD Domain Services (which is for domain-joined VMs, not SSO for legacy web apps) or Seamless SSO (which only covers browser-based apps). A common trap is confusing Application Proxy with Azure AD B2B, but remember: B2B is for external guests, not internal legacy apps. Memory tip: “Proxy for the past, PHS for the path”—Application Proxy handles the old app, while PHS provides the cloud authentication path.
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 organization has a hybrid identity environment with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and on-premises Active Directory. You need to design a solution that allows users to access cloud applications using their on-premises credentials, and also enables single sign-on (SSO) for legacy on-premises applications that do not support modern authentication protocols. What should you recommend?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement Azure AD Connect with password hash synchronization and Azure AD Application Proxy.
Option A is correct because Azure AD Application Proxy provides SSO to legacy on-premises apps without modifying them. Azure AD Connect with PHS enables cloud authentication. Option B (Azure AD DS) is for domain-joined VMs. Option C (Azure AD B2B) is for external users. Option D (Azure AD Seamless SSO) only works for browser-based apps.
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.
✗
Deploy Azure Active Directory Domain Services and domain-join the legacy application servers.
Why it's wrong here
Azure AD DS provides domain services but does not enable SSO for cloud apps with on-prem credentials.
✗
Use Azure Active Directory B2B collaboration for internal users.
Why it's wrong here
Azure AD B2B is for external collaboration, not internal SSO.
✓
Implement Azure AD Connect with password hash synchronization and Azure AD Application Proxy.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure Azure AD Seamless SSO and use Azure AD Connect with pass-through authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Seamless SSO works for browser-based apps but not for legacy apps that don't support modern protocols.
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: Implement Azure AD Connect with password hash synchronization and Azure AD Application Proxy. — Option A is correct because Azure AD Application Proxy provides SSO to legacy on-premises apps without modifying them. Azure AD Connect with PHS enables cloud authentication. Option B (Azure AD DS) is for domain-joined VMs. Option C (Azure AD B2B) is for external users. Option D (Azure AD Seamless SSO) only works for browser-based apps.
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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