The correct answer is to add the IP address 203.0.113.5 to the firewall rules of the storage account. This works because the Azure Storage firewall operates as a network access control layer, allowing you to explicitly whitelist specific public IP addresses or ranges while denying all other internet traffic by default. On the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to secure storage accounts in a hybrid or remote access context, often appearing as a distractor alongside service endpoints, NSGs, or Private Link. A common trap is confusing service endpoints—which restrict traffic to a virtual network—with IP-based firewall rules, which are for direct internet access. Remember the key distinction: if the requirement is to allow a specific public IP over the internet, you configure the storage account firewall directly, not through network security groups or private connectivity. Memory tip: “Firewall filters IPs; endpoints filter networks.”
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 allow a specific IP address (203.0.113.5) to access an Azure Storage account over the internet. All other internet traffic must be denied. You have enabled the storage account firewall. 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
✓
Add the IP address to the firewall rules of the storage account.
Option C is correct because storage account firewall allows you to whitelist specific IP addresses. Option A is wrong because service endpoints are for VNet access, not specific IPs. Option B is wrong because NSGs apply to the subnet, not the storage account. Option D is wrong because Private Link is for private connectivity, not IP whitelisting.
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 a private endpoint for the storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Private endpoint does not allow public IP access.
✓
Add the IP address to the firewall rules of the storage account.
Configure an NSG on the subnet to allow the IP address.
Why it's wrong here
NSGs filter traffic to VMs, not storage accounts.
✗
Add a service endpoint for Microsoft.Storage to the subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Service endpoints allow access from a VNet, not a specific public IP.
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: Add the IP address to the firewall rules of the storage account. — Option C is correct because storage account firewall allows you to whitelist specific IP addresses. Option A is wrong because service endpoints are for VNet access, not specific IPs. Option B is wrong because NSGs apply to the subnet, not the storage account. Option D is wrong because Private Link is for private connectivity, not IP whitelisting.
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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