A development team is building a proof-of-concept microservice that is packaged as a Docker container. They want to deploy it to Azure with the fastest provisioning time and the least operational overhead. The team does not need to manage virtual machines, orchestrate multiple containers, or configure scaling rules. Which Azure compute service should they use?
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.
Distractor review
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
AKS is a managed Kubernetes cluster designed for orchestrating multiple containers. It requires you to manage the cluster configuration (though Azure simplifies some tasks) and includes overhead for node pools, load balancing, and scaling. It is not the simplest option for a single container proof-of-concept.
Best answer
Azure Container Instances (ACI)
ACI is correct because it is a serverless container service that runs a single container on demand. You do not need to provision VMs, manage an orchestrator, or configure scaling – just specify the container image and launch. It is the fastest and most lightweight option for the described scenario.
Distractor review
Azure Virtual Machines
Azure VMs give you full control over the operating system and runtime, but you must provision the VM, install Docker, patch the OS, and manage the lifecycle. This introduces significant operational overhead compared to ACI, making it unsuitable when the goal is minimal effort and fast provisioning.
Distractor review
Azure Batch
Azure Batch is designed for running large-scale parallel high-performance computing (HPC) and batch processing workloads. It manages a pool of compute nodes (VMs) and schedules jobs. It is overly complex for running a single always-on container and does not provide the instant, serverless container deployment that ACI offers.
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: Azure Container Instances (ACI) — Azure Container Instances (ACI) enables you to deploy a single container quickly without managing underlying virtual machines or an orchestrator. It is ideal for simple applications, task automation, and test scenarios where you want the fastest possible deployment with minimal management overhead. ACI provisions containers in seconds, is billed per second, and requires no cluster management.
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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