- A
Configure branch policies on main to require a minimum number of reviewers from the release manager group, and set the 'Allow users to create pull requests' permission to only include release managers.
This allows only release managers to create pull requests into main, enforcing the desired control.
- B
Use GitHub branch protection rules to require pull request reviews from release managers on main.
Why wrong: Azure Repos uses branch policies, not GitHub branch protection.
- C
Set the main branch to read-only for all users except release managers using the 'Security' tab in repository settings.
Why wrong: This only prevents direct pushes but does not prevent developers from creating pull requests into main.
- D
Require a successful build for all branches and set the build pipeline to only run for release manager commits.
Why wrong: Build requirements do not restrict who can merge.
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. 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 uses Azure Repos with a Git branching strategy that includes a main branch, a develop branch, and feature branches. You need to enforce that only designated release managers can merge changes from develop into main, while developers can create feature branches off develop and merge pull requests into develop. What is the best way to implement this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Configure branch policies on main to require a minimum number of reviewers from the release manager group, and set the 'Allow users to create pull requests' permission to only include release managers.
Option C is correct because branch policies in Azure Repos can restrict who can push or merge to a branch, and you can set different policies for main and develop. Option A is incorrect because restricting all users except release managers from creating pull requests into main is not sufficient if developers can push directly. Option B is incorrect because branch protection is a GitHub concept, not Azure Repos. Option D is incorrect because requiring a successful build is good practice but does not restrict who can merge.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure branch policies on main to require a minimum number of reviewers from the release manager group, and set the 'Allow users to create pull requests' permission to only include release managers.
Why this is correct
This allows only release managers to create pull requests into main, enforcing the desired control.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Use GitHub branch protection rules to require pull request reviews from release managers on main.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Repos uses branch policies, not GitHub branch protection.
- ✗
Set the main branch to read-only for all users except release managers using the 'Security' tab in repository settings.
Why it's wrong here
This only prevents direct pushes but does not prevent developers from creating pull requests into main.
- ✗
Require a successful build for all branches and set the build pipeline to only run for release manager commits.
Why it's wrong here
Build requirements do not restrict who can merge.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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
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 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-400 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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Design and implement a source control strategy — study guide chapter
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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 — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure branch policies on main to require a minimum number of reviewers from the release manager group, and set the 'Allow users to create pull requests' permission to only include release managers. — Option C is correct because branch policies in Azure Repos can restrict who can push or merge to a branch, and you can set different policies for main and develop. Option A is incorrect because restricting all users except release managers from creating pull requests into main is not sufficient if developers can push directly. Option B is incorrect because branch protection is a GitHub concept, not Azure Repos. Option D is incorrect because requiring a successful build is good practice but does not restrict who can merge.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
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-400 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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