The correct answer is to configure a Network Security Group (NSG) on the VM’s network interface card (NIC) with inbound rules that allow HTTPS from the Internet and SSH only from the management subnet, while denying all other inbound traffic. This works because an NSG acts as a stateful, granular firewall at the network layer, enabling you to define explicit allow rules based on source IP, destination port, and protocol—perfectly matching the requirement to restrict Azure VM inbound traffic to HTTPS and SSH from a management subnet. On the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of NSG rule priority and scope: attaching the NSG to the NIC isolates security for a single VM, whereas attaching it to the subnet would affect all VMs in that subnet, a common trap. A key memory tip is “NIC for single, subnet for swarm”—remember that NIC-level NSGs give you per-VM control, which is essential when you need to lock down SSH access to a specific management subnet without impacting other workloads.
AZ-500 Secure compute, storage, and databases Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure compute, storage, and databases. 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 secure a Linux virtual machine running a web application in Azure. The solution must ensure that only traffic on port 443 (HTTPS) is allowed from the internet, and that SSH access is restricted to a management subnet. 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
✓
Network Security Group (NSG) on the VM NIC with inbound rules: Allow HTTPS from Internet, Allow SSH from management subnet, Deny all other inbound
Option A is correct because an NSG with inbound rules that allow HTTPS from any source and SSH only from the management subnet achieves the goal. Option B is wrong because Azure Firewall is more complex and costly than needed. Option C is wrong because a network security group attached to the subnet would affect all VMs. Option D is wrong because Application Security Groups are used for grouping VMs, not for filtering traffic.
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 with application rules to allow HTTPS and SNAT SSH traffic
Network Security Group on the subnet with inbound rules: Allow HTTPS from Internet, Allow SSH from management subnet, Deny all other inbound
Why it's wrong here
Affects all VMs in subnet, not just the web server.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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 compute, storage, and databases — This question tests Secure compute, storage, and databases — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Network Security Group (NSG) on the VM NIC with inbound rules: Allow HTTPS from Internet, Allow SSH from management subnet, Deny all other inbound — Option A is correct because an NSG with inbound rules that allow HTTPS from any source and SSH only from the management subnet achieves the goal. Option B is wrong because Azure Firewall is more complex and costly than needed. Option C is wrong because a network security group attached to the subnet would affect all VMs. Option D is wrong because Application Security Groups are used for grouping VMs, not for filtering traffic.
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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