The answer is Azure DNS. This service is the correct choice because it performs domain name resolution, translating human-readable domain names like www.example.com into machine-readable IP addresses using the DNS protocol, which is essential for routing internet traffic to the correct destination. On the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of core networking services and their primary functions; Azure DNS is often contrasted with services like Azure Traffic Manager or Azure Front Door, which handle traffic routing or load balancing rather than name-to-IP translation. A common trap is confusing Azure DNS with Azure Private DNS, but remember that the standard Azure DNS resolves public domain names for internet traffic. For a quick memory tip, think of DNS as the phonebook of the internet—it looks up the number (IP address) for a given name (domain), and Azure DNS is Microsoft’s managed version of that phonebook.
AZ-900 Describe Azure architecture and services Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe azure architecture and services. 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.
Which Azure service translates domain names to IP addresses for routing internet traffic?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure DNS
Azure DNS is the correct service because it provides domain name resolution, translating human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses using the DNS protocol. This is the fundamental function of a DNS service, enabling internet traffic to be routed to the correct destination based on the resolved IP address.
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.
✗
Azure Traffic Manager
Why it's wrong here
Traffic Manager uses DNS for load balancing decisions but relies on Azure DNS for record hosting.
✓
Azure DNS
Why this is correct
Azure DNS hosts DNS zones and resolves domain names to IP addresses using Azure's globally distributed nameservers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Private DNS
Why it's wrong here
Azure Private DNS provides name resolution within a VNet; Azure DNS handles public-facing domains.
✗
Azure Application Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Application Gateway routes HTTP traffic; Azure DNS handles domain name resolution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Traffic Manager (which uses DNS for traffic routing) with the actual DNS resolution service, mistakenly thinking Traffic Manager translates domain names to IP addresses, when in fact it only redirects traffic based on DNS responses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure DNS uses a global network of authoritative DNS servers that respond to DNS queries with the IP address associated with the queried domain, following RFC 1035 standards. A real-world scenario is when a user types a URL in a browser; Azure DNS resolves the domain to an IP address, allowing the browser to establish a TCP connection to the web server. This service supports both public and private DNS zones, with public zones being essential for internet-facing applications.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-900 question in full detail.
Describe Azure architecture and services — This question tests Describe Azure architecture and services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure DNS — Azure DNS is the correct service because it provides domain name resolution, translating human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses using the DNS protocol. This is the fundamental function of a DNS service, enabling internet traffic to be routed to the correct destination based on the resolved IP address.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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