- A
Deploy AKS with a private API server, enable network policies, and use a service endpoint or private endpoint for Azure SQL Database.
Private cluster ensures API server is not exposed; network policies enforce micro-segmentation; private endpoints secure database connectivity.
- B
Deploy AKS with a public API server and use Network Security Groups (NSGs) to restrict access.
Why wrong: Public API server increases attack surface; NSGs alone may not be sufficient for PCI compliance.
- C
Deploy AKS with a private API server and use a jump box for administration.
Why wrong: Jump box adds complexity; not necessary if using private cluster with VPN/ExpressRoute.
- D
Deploy AKS with a public API server and disable network policies to simplify management.
Why wrong: Disabling network policies reduces security; public API server is not recommended for PCI.
Quick Answer
The correct design is to deploy AKS with a private API server, enable network policies, and use a service endpoint or private endpoint for Azure SQL Database. This configuration directly satisfies PCI DSS requirements by ensuring the cluster’s control plane is isolated from the public internet, while network policies enforce strict micro-segmentation between microservices, and a private or service endpoint secures data in transit to Azure SQL. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance security with operational overhead—common traps include choosing a public cluster for simplicity or adding unnecessary jump boxes, both of which violate PCI DSS or increase complexity. Remember the key principle: private cluster for control plane isolation, network policies for east-west traffic control, and private endpoints for data plane encryption. A useful memory tip is “Private, Policy, Endpoint” to recall the three pillars of a compliant AKS design.
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 is designing a secure microservices architecture using Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The application must be compliant with PCI DSS, which requires strict network segmentation and encryption of data at rest and in transit. You need to design a solution that meets these requirements while minimizing operational overhead. The AKS cluster will be deployed in a virtual network. The application consists of multiple microservices that need to communicate with each other and with an Azure SQL Database. Some microservices are public-facing. Which design should you recommend?
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 AKS with a private API server, enable network policies, and use a service endpoint or private endpoint for Azure SQL Database.
Option C is correct because a private AKS cluster with a service endpoint on the subnet and Azure SQL Database firewall rules ensures network isolation. AKS can enforce network policies for micro-segmentation. Option A is wrong because a public cluster exposes the API server, which is less secure. Option B is wrong because a jump box adds operational overhead and is not required. Option D is wrong because disabling network policies reduces security.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 AKS with a private API server, enable network policies, and use a service endpoint or private endpoint for Azure SQL Database.
Why this is correct
Private cluster ensures API server is not exposed; network policies enforce micro-segmentation; private endpoints secure database connectivity.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Deploy AKS with a public API server and use Network Security Groups (NSGs) to restrict access.
Why it's wrong here
Public API server increases attack surface; NSGs alone may not be sufficient for PCI compliance.
- ✗
Deploy AKS with a private API server and use a jump box for administration.
Why it's wrong here
Jump box adds complexity; not necessary if using private cluster with VPN/ExpressRoute.
- ✗
Deploy AKS with a public API server and disable network policies to simplify management.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling network policies reduces security; public API server is not recommended for PCI.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related AZ-305 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
- →
Design infrastructure solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Design infrastructure solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-305 questions
999 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-305 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-305 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions practice questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions.
Design data storage solutions practice questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design data storage solutions.
Design business continuity solutions practice questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design business continuity solutions.
Design infrastructure solutions practice questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to Design infrastructure solutions.
SAA-C03 VPC practice questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC.
SAA-C03 S3 lifecycle policy questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 S3 lifecycle policy questions.
SAA-C03 RDS Multi-AZ questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 RDS Multi-AZ questions.
SAA-C03 IAM policy practice questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 IAM policy.
SAA-C03 Route 53 failover questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 Route 53 failover questions.
SAA-C03 CloudFront practice questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 CloudFront.
SAA-C03 NAT gateway questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 NAT gateway questions.
SAA-C03 VPC endpoint questions
Practise AZ-305 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC endpoint questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-305 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-305 question test?
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy AKS with a private API server, enable network policies, and use a service endpoint or private endpoint for Azure SQL Database. — Option C is correct because a private AKS cluster with a service endpoint on the subnet and Azure SQL Database firewall rules ensures network isolation. AKS can enforce network policies for micro-segmentation. Option A is wrong because a public cluster exposes the API server, which is less secure. Option B is wrong because a jump box adds operational overhead and is not required. Option D is wrong because disabling network policies reduces security.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related AZ-305 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More AZ-305 practice questions
- A company has multiple Azure virtual networks (VNets) in different regions and an on-premises data center connected via…
- A company is designing hub-and-spoke networking. Spoke VNets must use a central Azure Firewall for outbound internet tra…
- A company has virtual machines in Azure that need to be grouped across multiple fault domains and update domains to ensu…
- A company plans to migrate on-premises applications to Azure. They require users to authenticate using their existing on…
- A company has multiple Azure subscriptions and wants to enforce that all administrators must use multi-factor authentica…
- A company has two on-premises data centers and an Azure subscription. They need to connect each data center to Azure wit…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.