MS-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
A marketing manager can access the company's cloud resources from her laptop at home, her tablet while traveling, and her smartphone. Which essential characteristic of cloud computing does this describe?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'broad network access' with 'resource pooling' because both involve multiple users or devices, but resource pooling is about the provider's shared infrastructure, not the consumer's ability to use different device types.
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 means cloud resources can be accessed over standard network protocols (e.g., HTTPS, TLS) from a wide range of client devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The scenario explicitly describes access from multiple device types and locations, which is the defining characteristic of broad network access as per NIST SP 800-145.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
Resource pooling refers to the provider's computing resources being pooled to serve multiple customers, with physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to demand. This multi-tenant model emphasizes location independence and shared infrastructure, but the scenario describes a single marketing manager accessing existing cloud services from multiple devices. It does not illustrate resource sharing or dynamic assignment, so resource pooling is not the characteristic at play.
- ✗
Scalability
Why it's wrong here
Scalability, also known as rapid elasticity, is the ability to provision and release cloud resources automatically to match fluctuating workload demand, such as scaling up compute capacity during a traffic spike and scaling back down when demand falls. The scenario contains no mention of changing demand, auto-scaling rules, or resource capacity adjustments; it simply shows a user connecting to static cloud resources from different devices. Therefore, scalability is not the characteristic being demonstrated.
- ✓
Broad network access
Why this is correct
Broad network access is the cloud characteristic that makes capabilities available over the network and accessible through standard protocols from heterogeneous client platforms, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The marketing manager's ability to reach company cloud resources from multiple devices directly exemplifies this capability, because the same service is usable regardless of device type or location. This is why broad network access is the correct answer.
- ✗
Measured service
Why it's wrong here
Measured service means the cloud provider automatically meters resource usage—such as compute hours, storage, and bandwidth—to control, optimize, and report consumption, typically for billing or pay-per-use purposes. The scenario does not mention any metering, monitoring, or cost attribution related to the marketing manager's access; it focuses solely on the variety of devices used to connect. Consequently, measured service is irrelevant to the scenario.
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