Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Blob Storage with shared access signatures (SAS). This solution is correct because a SAS token allows you to grant time-limited, delegated access to specific blobs or containers, which is ideal for secure file sharing to external partners using shared access signatures on Azure Blob Storage. The token can be configured with precise expiration times and permissions, while Azure Storage analytics logging enables tracking of who accessed which file by correlating SAS identifiers with log entries. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this question tests your understanding of access control mechanisms for external collaboration, often contrasting SAS with public access or Azure Files. A common trap is choosing Azure Files with SMB, which fails because it requires domain-joined clients, or Azure Data Box, which is for offline bulk transfer. Memory tip: think “SAS for short-term share, logs for who was there.”
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage 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 needs to share large files (up to 100 GB) with external partners securely. The solution must allow partners to access files for a limited time and track who accessed which file. Which Azure solution should you use?
Azure Data Box.
Why wrong: Physical device for offline transfer, not for sharing.
Azure Blob Storage with shared access signatures (SAS).
SAS provides time-limited access; logs track access.
Azure Files with SMB protocol.
Why wrong: Requires domain join, not ideal for external partners.
Azure Blob Storage with public access.
Why wrong: No time-limited control or access tracking.
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 Blob Storage with shared access signatures (SAS).
Option B is correct because Azure Storage shared access signatures (SAS) with expiration and access logging provide time-limited access and tracking. Option A is wrong because Azure Files with SMB requires domain join. Option C is wrong because Azure Data Box is for physical data transfer. Option D is wrong because Azure Blob Storage with public access does not provide time-limited control.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Data Box.
Why it's wrong here
Physical device for offline transfer, not for sharing.
Azure Blob Storage with shared access signatures (SAS).
Why this is correct
SAS provides time-limited access; logs track access.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Azure Files with SMB protocol.
Why it's wrong here
Requires domain join, not ideal for external partners.
Azure Blob Storage with public access.
Why it's wrong here
No time-limited control or access tracking.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related AZ-305 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Azure Blob Storage with shared access signatures (SAS). — Option B is correct because Azure Storage shared access signatures (SAS) with expiration and access logging provide time-limited access and tracking. Option A is wrong because Azure Files with SMB requires domain join. Option C is wrong because Azure Data Box is for physical data transfer. Option D is wrong because Azure Blob Storage with public access does not provide time-limited control.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related AZ-305 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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