- A
On-demand self-service
Why wrong: On-demand self-service refers to a consumer's ability to provision and manage computing resources without requiring human interaction with service providers. The scenario focuses on accessibility of an already deployed application and management tools, not on provisioning or self-service capabilities.
- B
Broad network access
Broad network access is the correct characteristic. It describes how cloud resources are universally accessible over the network through standard protocols, enabling users to connect from various devices and locations. The web application being accessible via HTTPS from smartphones, laptops, and the use of Azure portal/CLI from anywhere exemplifies this.
- C
Resource pooling
Why wrong: Resource pooling refers to the cloud provider's ability to serve multiple customers from shared physical and virtual resources, dynamically assigning them based on demand. This scenario does not describe multi-tenancy or shared infrastructure; it only highlights how users access the cloud services.
- D
Measured service
Why wrong: Measured service means cloud usage is metered, monitored, and reported, enabling pay-as-you-go billing. The scenario does not mention billing, usage reports, or metering; it centers on accessibility of the application and management interfaces.
Quick Answer
The answer is broad network access, the cloud characteristic that enables resources to be reached from any internet-connected device. This scenario demonstrates it perfectly because the web application must be accessible from smartphones and laptops, while employees manage Azure resources via the Azure portal and CLI from various locations—all using standard network protocols like HTTPS. On the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the NIST definition, where broad network access means resources are available over the network and can be consumed by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms. A common trap is confusing this with rapid elasticity, but remember: broad network access is about *who* and *how* you connect (any device, anywhere), not about scaling resources up or down. For a quick memory tip, think of the phrase “any device, any network”—if the scenario mentions smartphones, laptops, tablets, or remote management from different locations, the answer is almost always broad network access.
AZ-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe cloud concepts. 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.
A company hosts a web application on Azure App Service. The application must be accessible from any internet-connected device, including smartphones and laptops. Employees also use the Azure portal and Azure CLI from various locations to manage the application and other Azure resources. This scenario best illustrates which characteristic of cloud computing?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Broad network access
Broad network access is the correct characteristic because the scenario explicitly describes the web application being accessible from any internet-connected device (smartphones, laptops) and employees managing resources via the Azure portal and CLI from various locations. This aligns with the NIST definition of broad network access, where resources are available over the network and accessed through standard protocols (e.g., HTTPS, SSH) by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
On-demand self-service
Why it's wrong here
On-demand self-service refers to a consumer's ability to provision and manage computing resources without requiring human interaction with service providers. The scenario focuses on accessibility of an already deployed application and management tools, not on provisioning or self-service capabilities.
- ✓
Broad network access
Why this is correct
Broad network access is the correct characteristic. It describes how cloud resources are universally accessible over the network through standard protocols, enabling users to connect from various devices and locations. The web application being accessible via HTTPS from smartphones, laptops, and the use of Azure portal/CLI from anywhere exemplifies this.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
Resource pooling refers to the cloud provider's ability to serve multiple customers from shared physical and virtual resources, dynamically assigning them based on demand. This scenario does not describe multi-tenancy or shared infrastructure; it only highlights how users access the cloud services.
- ✗
Measured service
Why it's wrong here
Measured service means cloud usage is metered, monitored, and reported, enabling pay-as-you-go billing. The scenario does not mention billing, usage reports, or metering; it centers on accessibility of the application and management interfaces.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'broad network access' with 'on-demand self-service' because both involve user interaction, but broad network access specifically focuses on network-based accessibility from diverse devices and locations, not the ability to provision resources without human intervention.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
On-demand self-service refers to a consumer's ability to provision and manage computing resources without requiring human interaction with service providers. The scenario focuses on accessibility of an already deployed application and management tools, not on provisioning or self-service capabilities.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Broad network access is defined in NIST SP 800-145 as capabilities being available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations). In Azure, this is enabled by public endpoints (e.g., App Service default *.azurewebsites.net domain) and protocols like HTTPS (port 443) for web apps, and SSH (port 22) or REST APIs for management tools like Azure CLI and portal. A subtle behavior: even if an App Service is configured with access restrictions, the underlying network access model still qualifies as 'broad' because the service is designed for network-based access from any location, not just on-premises.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-900 question test?
Describe cloud concepts — This question tests Describe cloud concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Broad network access — Broad network access is the correct characteristic because the scenario explicitly describes the web application being accessible from any internet-connected device (smartphones, laptops) and employees managing resources via the Azure portal and CLI from various locations. This aligns with the NIST definition of broad network access, where resources are available over the network and accessed through standard protocols (e.g., HTTPS, SSH) by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms.
What should I do if I get this AZ-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-900 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-900 exam.
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