The correct answer is to configure a VNet service endpoint and a firewall rule for the VNet subnet. This works because a VNet service endpoint extends your virtual network’s private address space and identity directly to Azure SQL Database, creating a secure, direct connection that bypasses the public internet. By then adding a firewall rule that permits traffic only from that specific VNet and subnet, you effectively restrict access exclusively to Azure VMs within that subnet, meeting the requirement of a private, region-specific database. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network security boundaries—specifically, the difference between service endpoints and Private Link, which is a common trap. Many candidates mistakenly choose Private Link for all private access, but service endpoints are the simpler, correct choice when the goal is to restrict access to VMs in the same region using a subnet-level rule. Memory tip: think “Endpoint + Rule” for a direct, subnet-only lock—Private Link is for cross-premises or cross-region private connections.
DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 deploy Azure SQL Database in a new region. They require that the database be accessible only from a specific set of Azure virtual machines in the same region. What should the DBA configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure a VNet service endpoint and a firewall rule for the VNet subnet
Option B is correct because a VNet service endpoint extends your virtual network private address space and the identity of your VNet to the Azure SQL Database service over a direct connection. By combining a service endpoint on the subnet with a firewall rule that allows traffic only from that specific VNet/subnet, you restrict access exclusively to Azure VMs in that subnet, meeting the requirement without exposing the database to the public internet.
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.
✗
Use a private endpoint only
Why it's wrong here
Private endpoint requires additional configuration and is not necessary if VMs are in the same region.
✓
Configure a VNet service endpoint and a firewall rule for the VNet subnet
Why this is correct
This restricts access to the specified VNet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure a point-to-site VPN
Why it's wrong here
Point-to-site is for individual client connections, not VMs.
✗
Set the firewall to allow Azure services and resources to access the server
Why it's wrong here
This allows all Azure services, not just specific VMs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse private endpoints with service endpoints, assuming a private endpoint alone provides network-level access control, when in fact it only provides a private IP connection and still requires explicit firewall rules to restrict which VMs can use it.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VNet service endpoints for Azure SQL Database use the Azure backbone network to route traffic from the VNet to the database, bypassing the public internet and ensuring that the source IP seen by SQL Database is the VNet's private address (via SNAT). The firewall rule must specify the VNet resource ID and subnet name, and the subnet must have the Microsoft.Sql service endpoint enabled; this combination ensures that only traffic originating from that subnet is allowed, even if the VMs have public IPs. In a real-world scenario, this is often used for multi-tier applications where web VMs in a subnet need direct, secure access to a database without exposing it to the entire Azure network.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a VNet service endpoint and a firewall rule for the VNet subnet — Option B is correct because a VNet service endpoint extends your virtual network private address space and the identity of your VNet to the Azure SQL Database service over a direct connection. By combining a service endpoint on the subnet with a firewall rule that allows traffic only from that specific VNet/subnet, you restrict access exclusively to Azure VMs in that subnet, meeting the requirement without exposing the database to the public internet.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 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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