The correct configuration is the Storage account firewall and virtual network settings. This is because Azure Storage firewalls allow you to create a set of rules that explicitly deny all traffic except that originating from specified virtual networks, effectively locking down the storage account to only trusted VNet sources. On the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, this concept tests your understanding of network segmentation and access control at the PaaS layer, often appearing as a distractor against options like NSGs or Azure Firewall. A common trap is confusing network security groups, which operate at the subnet or NIC level, with the storage account’s built-in firewall, which directly controls access to the data plane. Remember the key distinction: NSGs filter traffic between subnets, while the storage firewall filters access to the storage endpoint itself. A useful memory tip is "Storage firewall for the data plane, NSG for the network lane."
AZ-500 Secure networking Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure networking. 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 need to restrict access to an Azure Storage account so that only traffic from a specific virtual network is allowed. What should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Storage account firewall and virtual network settings
Option C is correct because Azure Storage firewalls and virtual networks allow you to restrict access to specific VNets. Option A is wrong because NSGs apply to subnets, not to storage accounts directly. Option B is wrong because Azure Firewall is for network traffic filtering, not for storage access control. Option D is wrong because private endpoints provide private connectivity but do not restrict access by default.
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.
✗
Azure Firewall application rule
Why it's wrong here
Azure Firewall can filter traffic, but storage service tags are easier.
✓
Storage account firewall and virtual network settings
Why this is correct
You can add a rule to allow access only from a specific VNet.
Private endpoints provide private IP connectivity but don't restrict access by default.
✗
Network security group (NSG) on the subnet
Why it's wrong here
NSGs control traffic to/from VMs, not to storage accounts.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-500 question in full detail.
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-500 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Secure networking — This question tests Secure networking — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Storage account firewall and virtual network settings — Option C is correct because Azure Storage firewalls and virtual networks allow you to restrict access to specific VNets. Option A is wrong because NSGs apply to subnets, not to storage accounts directly. Option B is wrong because Azure Firewall is for network traffic filtering, not for storage access control. Option D is wrong because private endpoints provide private connectivity but do not restrict access by default.
What should I do if I get this AZ-500 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-500 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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