- A
Use GitHub Flow with feature branches merging directly to main. Use a release branch for stabilization. Use pull requests for all merges.
Why wrong: No separate hotfix branch; hotfixes would go to main and not propagate to release.
- B
Use trunk-based development with short-lived feature branches. Use feature toggles for incomplete work. No separate hotfix branch.
Why wrong: Hotfixes need immediate deployment without feature toggles.
- C
Use a forking workflow where each developer forks the repository and submits pull requests. Use branch policies on the upstream main branch.
Why wrong: Forking adds complexity for enterprise and does not address hotfix propagation.
- D
Use GitFlow with main, develop, and hotfix branches. Configure branch policies on main and develop to enforce pull requests with required reviewers. Use a pipeline to automatically merge hotfix branches into both main and develop.
GitFlow supports hotfix propagation; policies enforce quality.
AZ-400 Practice Question: Design and implement a source control strategy
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement a source control strategy. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 Git branching strategy for a large enterprise with multiple Azure DevOps projects. The strategy must support hotfixes for production releases, feature development in isolated branches, and release branches for stabilization. The team uses CI/CD pipelines that trigger on branch creation. You need to minimize merge conflicts and ensure that hotfix changes are propagated to all active branches. Which branching model should you recommend and how should you configure branch policies?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Use GitFlow with main, develop, and hotfix branches. Configure branch policies on main and develop to enforce pull requests with required reviewers. Use a pipeline to automatically merge hotfix branches into both main and develop.
Option A is correct because GitFlow with branch policies on main and develop that enforce hotfix merges via pull request ensures propagation. Option B (GitHub Flow) does not have dedicated hotfix branches and release branches. Option C (Trunk-Based) lacks hotfix isolation. Option D (Forking) is for external contributions, not enterprise internal.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 GitHub Flow with feature branches merging directly to main. Use a release branch for stabilization. Use pull requests for all merges.
Why it's wrong here
No separate hotfix branch; hotfixes would go to main and not propagate to release.
- ✗
Use trunk-based development with short-lived feature branches. Use feature toggles for incomplete work. No separate hotfix branch.
Why it's wrong here
Hotfixes need immediate deployment without feature toggles.
- ✗
Use a forking workflow where each developer forks the repository and submits pull requests. Use branch policies on the upstream main branch.
Why it's wrong here
Forking adds complexity for enterprise and does not address hotfix propagation.
- ✓
Use GitFlow with main, develop, and hotfix branches. Configure branch policies on main and develop to enforce pull requests with required reviewers. Use a pipeline to automatically merge hotfix branches into both main and develop.
Why this is correct
GitFlow supports hotfix propagation; policies enforce quality.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related AZ-400 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-400 question test?
Design and implement a source control strategy — This question tests Design and implement a source control strategy — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use GitFlow with main, develop, and hotfix branches. Configure branch policies on main and develop to enforce pull requests with required reviewers. Use a pipeline to automatically merge hotfix branches into both main and develop. — Option A is correct because GitFlow with branch policies on main and develop that enforce hotfix merges via pull request ensures propagation. Option B (GitHub Flow) does not have dedicated hotfix branches and release branches. Option C (Trunk-Based) lacks hotfix isolation. Option D (Forking) is for external contributions, not enterprise internal.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related AZ-400 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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