Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A company deploys an Azure SQL Database. The company is billed based on the amount of data stored and the number of transactions per second (DTUs). At the end of each month, the company receives an invoice that itemizes the exact usage and the corresponding charges. Which of the five essential characteristics of cloud computing does this billing model primarily demonstrate?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
On-demand self-service
This characteristic refers to the ability of a user to provision computing resources (e.g., virtual machines, databases) without requiring human interaction with the service provider. While the deployment of the database is an example of on-demand self-service, the billing model described (metered usage and invoicing) is not about provisioning; it is about usage tracking and payment.
B
Distractor review
Broad network access
Broad network access means that resources are available over the network and can be accessed by standard client platforms (e.g., laptops, mobile devices). This characteristic does not relate to how billing is calculated or invoiced.
C
Distractor review
Resource pooling
Resource pooling allows the cloud provider to serve multiple customers using a multi-tenant model, with physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand. While the Azure SQL Database runs on shared infrastructure, the billing mechanism based on exact usage is not a direct demonstration of resource pooling.
D
Best answer
Measured service
Measured service is the correct characteristic. Cloud systems meter resource usage (such as storage and DTUs) and provide usage reports. This enables a pay-per-use billing model, as described in the scenario where the company receives a detailed invoice based on exact consumption.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Related practice questions
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A developer is building a serverless application that requires integration with an on-premises SQL Server database for real-time data processing. The on-premises network is connected to Azure via a site-to-site VPN. Which Azure service would allow the function to securely access the on-premises database without exposing it to the public internet?
Question 2
A solutions architect is designing a storage solution for a large media company. The company needs to store video files that are accessed infrequently but must be retained for several years for compliance. Which two Azure storage options meet these requirements? (Select two.)
Question 3
A company deploys a multi-tier application using Azure virtual machines. The web tier VMs must be evenly distributed across two distinct data centers within an Azure region to avoid a single point of failure from an infrastructure outage. Which Azure construct should they use to meet this requirement?
Question 4
A company wants to enforce a set of security policies across all their Azure subscriptions. They have created several individual policy definitions. Which Azure construct should they use to group these policies together and assign them as a single package?
Question 5
A company deploys a line-of-business application on an Azure virtual machine. The IT team wants to ensure the application remains secure. According to the shared responsibility model, which of the following security tasks is the sole responsibility of the customer (the company)?
Question 6
A company develops a web API that runs on Azure App Service. The development team wants to deploy a new version of the API to a staging environment, run integration tests against it, and then gradually shift production traffic to the new version. If any issues are detected, they want to immediately roll back to the previous version without redeploying. Which Azure App Service feature should the team use to meet these requirements?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-900 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Measured service — The correct answer is Measured service. This characteristic means that cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability. Usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer. In this scenario, the detailed invoice based on storage and DTUs exemplifies measured service because the provider meters usage and bills accordingly. On-demand self-service allows users to provision resources without human interaction. Broad network access refers to resources accessible over the network via standard protocols. Resource pooling enables the provider to serve multiple customers from shared physical resources. None of these other options describe the pay-per-use billing model.
What should I do if I get this AZ-900 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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