MS-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
During a Microsoft 365 planning workshop, host custom applications on virtual machines while managing the operating system. Cloud concept or benefit best matches this requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse PaaS with IaaS because both involve hosting applications, but PaaS does not allow OS-level management, which is the key differentiator in this question.
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
✓
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtualized computing resources over the internet, including virtual machines where you can host custom applications and have full control over the operating system. This matches the requirement because IaaS gives you the flexibility to manage the OS, install custom software, and configure the environment without worrying about the underlying physical hardware.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Why it's wrong here
PaaS abstracts the operating system and runtime.
- ✓
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Why this is correct
IaaS provides virtual machines, storage, and networking while customers manage the operating system and applications.
- ✗
Hybrid cloud
Why it's wrong here
Hybrid cloud is a deployment model, not the service model described.
- ✗
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Why it's wrong here
SaaS is a finished application managed by the provider.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This MS-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 MS-900 exam.