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.
Your company deploys a web application in an Azure App Service that needs to securely connect to an Azure SQL Database. You want to avoid exposing the database to the public internet. What is the recommended approach?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a private endpoint for the SQL database and VNet integration for the App Service
Option D is correct because a private endpoint assigns a private IP to the database within the VNet, and the App Service can connect via VNet integration. Option A is wrong because NSGs on the database subnet do not prevent internet exposure if the database has a public endpoint. Option B is wrong because Azure Firewall can filter but the database still has a public endpoint. Option C is wrong because the SQL firewall allows public IPs but is less secure.
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.
✗
Configure the SQL database firewall to allow only the App Service outbound IP
Why it's wrong here
Less secure because the IP may change and the endpoint is public.
✗
Use Azure Firewall to block outbound traffic to the database
Why it's wrong here
Firewall can block, but the database's public IP is still exposed.
✗
Create an NSG on the database subnet to deny internet traffic
Why it's wrong here
The NSG controls traffic to the subnet, but the database public endpoint may still be reachable.
✓
Use a private endpoint for the SQL database and VNet integration for the App Service
Why this is correct
This keeps traffic within the Microsoft backbone and avoids public exposure.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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: Use a private endpoint for the SQL database and VNet integration for the App Service — Option D is correct because a private endpoint assigns a private IP to the database within the VNet, and the App Service can connect via VNet integration. Option A is wrong because NSGs on the database subnet do not prevent internet exposure if the database has a public endpoint. Option B is wrong because Azure Firewall can filter but the database still has a public endpoint. Option C is wrong because the SQL firewall allows public IPs but is less secure.
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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