The correct answer is to add a user-defined route (UDR) in the AVD subnet for the on-premises IP prefixes with the next hop set to the ExpressRoute gateway. This configuration ensures that when AVD session hosts need to access on-premises resources, traffic is forced through the ExpressRoute connection rather than traversing the public internet, while the reverse connect transport keeps the session hosts’ outbound connections to the AVD service intact. On the AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of forced tunneling in the context of Azure Virtual Desktop and hybrid networking—a common trap is assuming you must force tunnel all internet traffic, which would break the AVD control plane connection because session hosts must reach the AVD service endpoints directly. Instead, the key is to selectively route only on-premises-bound traffic via ExpressRoute using a UDR, leaving the reverse connect flow unblocked. Memory tip: think “UDR for on-prem, not for AVD”—route your local resources through ExpressRoute, but let the session hosts breathe for the service.
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.
Your organization has a Microsoft Entra ID tenant and uses Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). You need to ensure that AVD session hosts in a virtual network can access on-premises resources securely without exposing the session hosts to the internet. The on-premises network is connected to Azure via ExpressRoute. All AVD traffic should be routed through the ExpressRoute connection. You have already deployed a reverse connect transport for AVD. What else should you configure to meet the requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a user-defined route (UDR) in the AVD subnet for the on-premises IP prefixes with next hop to the ExpressRoute gateway.
Option A is correct: For AVD reverse connect, the session hosts initiate outbound connections to the AVD service. To route this traffic through ExpressRoute, you need to enable forced tunneling so that all internet-bound traffic from the session hosts goes through the firewall or VPNgateway, but the requirement is to use ExpressRoute for on-premises access. For AVD, the session hosts need to connect to AVD service endpoints; if you force tunnel internet traffic, it breaks the AVD connection. However, the scenario states that the on-premises network is connected via ExpressRoute, and you need to ensure AVD session hosts can access on-premises resources. The correct approach is to ensure that the route table in the AVD subnet has a route to on-premises via ExpressRoute. Option A is correct because you need to add a UDR for the on-premises prefix with next hop as the ExpressRoute gateway. Option B is incorrect because peering doesn't route traffic. Option C is incorrect because disabling reverse connect would require inbound access. Option D is incorrect because AVD control plane is outside the virtual network.
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 VNet peering between the AVD virtual network and the on-premises network.
Why it's wrong here
VNet peering is for Azure VNets, not on-premises.
✓
Add a user-defined route (UDR) in the AVD subnet for the on-premises IP prefixes with next hop to the ExpressRoute gateway.
Why this is correct
This ensures traffic to on-premises uses ExpressRoute.
Disable reverse connect transport and allow inbound RDP traffic from the internet.
Why it's wrong here
This would expose session hosts to the internet, violating security requirements.
✗
Create a private endpoint for the AVD control plane.
Why it's wrong here
Private endpoints are for accessing Azure PaaS services privately, not for routing on-premises traffic.
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: Add a user-defined route (UDR) in the AVD subnet for the on-premises IP prefixes with next hop to the ExpressRoute gateway. — Option A is correct: For AVD reverse connect, the session hosts initiate outbound connections to the AVD service. To route this traffic through ExpressRoute, you need to enable forced tunneling so that all internet-bound traffic from the session hosts goes through the firewall or VPN gateway, but the requirement is to use ExpressRoute for on-premises access. For AVD, the session hosts need to connect to AVD service endpoints; if you force tunnel internet traffic, it breaks the AVD connection. However, the scenario states that the on-premises network is connected via ExpressRoute, and you need to ensure AVD session hosts can access on-premises resources. The correct approach is to ensure that the route table in the AVD subnet has a route to on-premises via ExpressRoute. Option A is correct because you need to add a UDR for the on-premises prefix with next hop as the ExpressRoute gateway. Option B is incorrect because peering doesn't route traffic. Option C is incorrect because disabling reverse connect would require inbound access. Option D is incorrect because AVD control plane is outside the virtual network.
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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