The correct action is to change the SourceAddressPrefix from '*' to '10.0.1.0/24'. This directly restricts SSH source IP access to only the management subnet by modifying the network security group rule’s source address, ensuring that only traffic originating from 10.0.1.0/24 is allowed on port 22. On the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of NSG rule priority and source filtering—a common trap is confusing source and destination prefixes, where candidates mistakenly alter the destination or add a deny-all rule. Remember, the key is that the SourceAddressPrefix controls who can initiate the connection, while the DestinationAddressPrefix controls where the traffic is going. A useful memory tip: “Source is who knocks, destination is which door they knock on”—always lock the source to the specific subnet for SSH.
AZ-500 Secure networking Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure networking. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You run the PowerShell command above and get the output: Access: Allow, SourceAddressPrefix: *, DestinationAddressPrefix: VirtualNetwork, DestinationPortRange: 22, Protocol: TCP, Priority: 100. A security audit requires that SSH access be restricted to only the management subnet (10.0.1.0/24). What should you do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Change the SourceAddressPrefix to '10.0.1.0/24'.
Option D is correct because changing the SourceAddressPrefix from '*' to '10.0.1.0/24' restricts SSH to the management subnet. Option A is wrong because deny-all would block all traffic. Option B is wrong because changing source to VirtualNetwork still allows all VNet. Option C is wrong because changing destination to VirtualNetwork does not restrict source.
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.
Change the SourceAddressPrefix to 'VirtualNetwork'.
Why it's wrong here
Allows all VNet traffic, not just management.
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 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.
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: Change the SourceAddressPrefix to '10.0.1.0/24'. — Option D is correct because changing the SourceAddressPrefix from '*' to '10.0.1.0/24' restricts SSH to the management subnet. Option A is wrong because deny-all would block all traffic. Option B is wrong because changing source to VirtualNetwork still allows all VNet. Option C is wrong because changing destination to VirtualNetwork does not restrict source.
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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