- A
Azure Blob Storage
Why wrong: Azure Blob Storage is an object storage solution designed for unstructured data. It does not provide file shares accessible via the SMB protocol. It is not suitable for this scenario.
- B
Azure Files
Azure Files offers fully managed, cloud-based file shares that support the SMB 3.0 protocol. It integrates with Azure AD DS or on-premises AD DS for authentication and can be mounted simultaneously by multiple Azure VMs. This meets all requirements.
- C
Azure NetApp Files
Why wrong: Azure NetApp Files supports SMB and NFS protocols and provides high-performance file shares. However, it is a premium, enterprise-grade service with higher cost and more management overhead. For a standard, fully managed cloud file share, Azure Files is more appropriate and cost-effective.
- D
Azure Disk Storage
Why wrong: Azure Disk Storage provides block-level disks that can be attached to Azure VMs. While multiple VMs can use Azure Shared Disks in limited configurations, this is complex and not a true file share with SMB protocol. It is not the intended solution for shared file storage.
Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Files, the fully managed cloud file share service that provides SMB 3.0 access for multiple Azure VMs simultaneously. This service is correct because it offers native SMB protocol support, allowing legacy applications to mount a shared file store just as they would on an on-premises file server, while integrating with Azure Active Directory Domain Services for identity-based authentication. On the AZ-900 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between Azure Files and other storage options like Azure Blob Storage or Azure NetApp Files—a common trap is confusing Blob’s REST-based access with SMB’s network share model. Remember that Azure Files is the only PaaS offering that delivers a true, managed SMB file share in the cloud, making it ideal for lift-and-shift migrations requiring multi-VM mounts. Memory tip: think “Files for SMB shares, Blobs for object storage.”
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.
A company plans to migrate a legacy application to Azure virtual machines. The application requires a shared file store that can be mounted simultaneously from multiple VMs using the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. The company needs a fully managed cloud file share that supports SMB 3.0 and integrates with Active Directory Domain Services for authentication. Which Azure service should the company use?
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
Azure Files
Azure Files provides fully managed SMB file shares in the cloud, supporting SMB 3.0 and integration with Azure Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS) for identity-based authentication. This allows multiple Azure VMs to mount the same file share simultaneously using the SMB protocol, meeting all the stated requirements.
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 Blob Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Blob Storage is an object storage solution designed for unstructured data. It does not provide file shares accessible via the SMB protocol. It is not suitable for this scenario.
- ✓
Azure Files
Why this is correct
Azure Files offers fully managed, cloud-based file shares that support the SMB 3.0 protocol. It integrates with Azure AD DS or on-premises AD DS for authentication and can be mounted simultaneously by multiple Azure VMs. This meets all requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure NetApp Files
Why it's wrong here
Azure NetApp Files supports SMB and NFS protocols and provides high-performance file shares. However, it is a premium, enterprise-grade service with higher cost and more management overhead. For a standard, fully managed cloud file share, Azure Files is more appropriate and cost-effective.
- ✗
Azure Disk Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Disk Storage provides block-level disks that can be attached to Azure VMs. While multiple VMs can use Azure Shared Disks in limited configurations, this is complex and not a true file share with SMB protocol. It is not the intended solution for shared file storage.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Files with Azure Blob Storage because both are 'storage' services, but Blob Storage does not support SMB protocol or simultaneous mounting from multiple VMs as a shared file system.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Azure Blob Storage is an object storage solution designed for unstructured data. It does not provide file shares accessible via the SMB protocol. It is not suitable for this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Files uses the SMB 3.0 protocol with encryption in transit, ensuring secure access from Azure VMs and on-premises clients. When integrated with Azure AD DS, it enables Kerberos-based authentication, allowing users to map drives using their domain credentials. The service also supports Azure File Sync for caching on-premises, making it a hybrid-friendly solution for legacy application migrations.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Describe Azure architecture and services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Describe Azure architecture and services practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-900 questions
1,031 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Describe cloud concepts practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to Describe cloud concepts.
Describe Azure architecture and services practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to Describe Azure architecture and services.
Describe Azure management and governance practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to Describe Azure management and governance.
AZ-900 Azure services practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 Azure services.
AZ-900 pricing and support practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 pricing and support.
AZ-900 security and compliance practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 security and compliance.
AZ-900 governance practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 governance.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-900 question test?
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 Files — Azure Files provides fully managed SMB file shares in the cloud, supporting SMB 3.0 and integration with Azure Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS) for identity-based authentication. This allows multiple Azure VMs to mount the same file share simultaneously using the SMB protocol, meeting all the stated requirements.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.