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 are designing a network security solution for a multi-tier application running in Azure. The front-end VMs must only accept traffic from Azure Front Door. Back-end VMs must only accept traffic from the front-end tier. You plan to use NSGs and ASGs. Which configuration should you use to meet these requirements with minimal administrative overhead?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Place front-end VMs in an ASG, back-end VMs in another ASG. Configure NSG rules referencing these ASGs.
Option C is correct because using Application Security Groups (ASGs) allows you to define network security policies based on application groups, and you can reference an ASG as the source or destination in NSG rules. By placing front-end VMs in an ASG and back-end VMs in another ASG, you can create NSG rules that restrict traffic accordingly. Option A is wrong because using individual VM IP addresses is not scalable. Option B is wrong because service tags for Azure Front Door exist, but they don't cover front-end VMs. Option D is wrong because VNet peering alone does not provide traffic filtering.
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.
✗
Create NSG rules that allow traffic from the Front Door service tag and from the front-end VM IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Using individual IP addresses is not scalable and does not leverage ASGs.
✗
Use service tags for Azure Front Door and for the front-end subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Service tags for Azure Front Door exist, but there is no service tag for a specific subnet of VMs.
✗
Use VNet peering between the front-end and back-end subnets, and configure route tables.
Why it's wrong here
VNet peering does not filter traffic; it only enables connectivity.
✓
Place front-end VMs in an ASG, back-end VMs in another ASG. Configure NSG rules referencing these ASGs.
Why this is correct
ASGs simplify management by grouping VMs and referencing them in NSG rules.
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: Place front-end VMs in an ASG, back-end VMs in another ASG. Configure NSG rules referencing these ASGs. — Option C is correct because using Application Security Groups (ASGs) allows you to define network security policies based on application groups, and you can reference an ASG as the source or destination in NSG rules. By placing front-end VMs in an ASG and back-end VMs in another ASG, you can create NSG rules that restrict traffic accordingly. Option A is wrong because using individual VM IP addresses is not scalable. Option B is wrong because service tags for Azure Front Door exist, but they don't cover front-end VMs. Option D is wrong because VNet peering alone does not provide traffic filtering.
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.
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 →
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.
This AZ-500 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-500 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.