MS-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
A business needs staff to access Microsoft 365 services from different locations using only an internet connection. Which cloud benefit is being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse 'broad network access' with 'server virtualization' or 'CapEx spending,' because they think cloud benefits are about hardware consolidation or cost models, rather than the fundamental characteristic of network-based, ubiquitous access.
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
✓
Broad network access
Broad network access is a core characteristic of cloud computing defined by NIST SP 800-145. It means that resources are available over the network and can be accessed by standard client platforms (e.g., laptops, tablets, smartphones) using only an internet connection, without requiring a dedicated private link or on-premises hardware. In this scenario, staff accessing Microsoft 365 from different locations via the internet directly demonstrates broad network access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Capital expenditure spending
Why it's wrong here
Capital expenditure (CapEx) is an accounting and financial classification for upfront purchases of durable assets, whereas Microsoft 365 is typically sold as a subscription, shifting costs to operational expenditure (OpEx). Although this cost model is relevant to IT budgeting, it says nothing about how staff members reach Microsoft 365 services from different locations. The question asks about a network/access property, so a financial characterization cannot be the correct answer.
- ✗
Manual provisioning
Why it's wrong here
Manual provisioning describes an administrative process in which an IT operator creates accounts, assigns licenses, and configures access individually, in contrast to the self-service and automated provisioning that cloud platforms support. It is unrelated to the ability of employees to reach Microsoft 365 services from anywhere, because even automatically provisioned users must connect over the network. Therefore, manual provisioning is neither a cloud essential characteristic nor the access method implied by the scenario.
- ✓
Broad network access
Why this is correct
Broad network access is one of the five essential characteristics of cloud computing defined by NIST, and it refers to capabilities being available over the network through standard protocols from heterogeneous client platforms. In the Microsoft 365 context, this means staff can use the web portal, desktop apps, and mobile apps on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and other devices without requiring a specific on-premises location. This directly satisfies the business requirement for employees to access services from varied networks and devices, making it the correct response.
- ✗
Server virtualization only
Why it's wrong here
Server virtualization is an enabling implementation technique in which a hypervisor partitions one physical machine into multiple isolated virtual machines, often used inside Microsoft data centers to improve hardware utilization. However, virtualization is a private datacenter detail and does not in itself create geographically distributed, secure, multi-tenant service access; a virtual machine can be confined to a single network segment or require VPN entry. The scenario's focus is user-facing network reachability, so virtualization alone is not a sufficient or correct explanation.
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