- A
Use a canary deployment strategy with a pipeline task that gradually shifts traffic to the new version and monitors error rates. If errors exceed a threshold, the task stops the canary.
Why wrong: Canary deployments do not automatically roll back the previous version; they stop the canary but leave the old version running.
- B
Use a rolling update strategy with the 'kubectl apply' command, and include a post-deployment step that checks the rollout status. If the rollout fails, run 'kubectl rollout undo' to roll back.
This leverages Kubernetes native rolling updates and automates rollback on failure.
- C
Use the 'KubernetesManifest' task with the 'rollout status' option, which automatically rolls back if the rollout status indicates failure.
Why wrong: The KubernetesManifest task does not automatically roll back; it only reports the status.
- D
Use a blue-green deployment strategy with two separate AKS clusters. Deploy the new version to the green cluster, run health checks, and then update the load balancer to point to green. If health checks fail, keep pointing to blue.
Why wrong: This requires two clusters and additional infrastructure, and the pipeline must manually handle the switch.
AZ-400 Practice Question: Design and implement build and release pipelines
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement build and release pipelines. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 team uses Azure Pipelines to deploy a microservices application to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). Each microservice has its own pipeline that builds a Docker image and deploys it to a shared AKS cluster. The deployment must support rolling updates with zero downtime. You need to ensure that if a deployment fails (e.g., health check fails), the pipeline automatically rolls back to the previous version. Which deployment strategy should you implement in the pipeline?
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 a rolling update strategy with the 'kubectl apply' command, and include a post-deployment step that checks the rollout status. If the rollout fails, run 'kubectl rollout undo' to roll back.
Option D is correct because Kubernetes supports rolling updates natively, and with proper readiness probes, it can automatically roll back if the update fails. Combined with a pipeline task that monitors the rollout and triggers rollback on failure, this meets the requirement. Option A is wrong because canary deployments require manual or automated traffic shifting and do not automatically roll back the entire deployment. Option B is wrong because blue-green deployments require an additional AKS cluster or namespace and manual rollback steps. Option C is wrong because the KubernetesManifest task with rollout status does not automatically roll back; it only monitors.
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.
- ✗
Use a canary deployment strategy with a pipeline task that gradually shifts traffic to the new version and monitors error rates. If errors exceed a threshold, the task stops the canary.
Why it's wrong here
Canary deployments do not automatically roll back the previous version; they stop the canary but leave the old version running.
- ✓
Use a rolling update strategy with the 'kubectl apply' command, and include a post-deployment step that checks the rollout status. If the rollout fails, run 'kubectl rollout undo' to roll back.
Why this is correct
This leverages Kubernetes native rolling updates and automates rollback on failure.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Use the 'KubernetesManifest' task with the 'rollout status' option, which automatically rolls back if the rollout status indicates failure.
Why it's wrong here
The KubernetesManifest task does not automatically roll back; it only reports the status.
- ✗
Use a blue-green deployment strategy with two separate AKS clusters. Deploy the new version to the green cluster, run health checks, and then update the load balancer to point to green. If health checks fail, keep pointing to blue.
Why it's wrong here
This requires two clusters and additional infrastructure, and the pipeline must manually handle the switch.
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 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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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 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.
- →
Design and implement build and release pipelines — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Design and implement build and release pipelines practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-400 questions
913 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert AZ-400 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-400 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-400 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configure processes and communications practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Configure processes and communications.
Design and implement source control practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement source control.
Design and implement build and release pipelines practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement build and release pipelines.
Develop a security and compliance plan practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Develop a security and compliance plan.
Implement an instrumentation strategy practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Implement an instrumentation strategy.
Design and implement a DevOps infrastructure practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement a DevOps infrastructure.
Design and implement a source control strategy practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement a source control strategy.
AZ-400 fundamentals practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to AZ-400 fundamentals.
AZ-400 scenario practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to AZ-400 scenario.
AZ-400 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to AZ-400 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-400 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-400 question test?
Design and implement build and release pipelines — This question tests Design and implement build and release pipelines — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a rolling update strategy with the 'kubectl apply' command, and include a post-deployment step that checks the rollout status. If the rollout fails, run 'kubectl rollout undo' to roll back. — Option D is correct because Kubernetes supports rolling updates natively, and with proper readiness probes, it can automatically roll back if the update fails. Combined with a pipeline task that monitors the rollout and triggers rollback on failure, this meets the requirement. Option A is wrong because canary deployments require manual or automated traffic shifting and do not automatically roll back the entire deployment. Option B is wrong because blue-green deployments require an additional AKS cluster or namespace and manual rollback steps. Option C is wrong because the KubernetesManifest task with rollout status does not automatically roll back; it only monitors.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This AZ-400 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-400 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.