The correct answer is to create a custom table in the Log Analytics workspace and configure a Data Collection Rule (DCR) to ingest the file. This is required because Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) relies entirely on DCRs to define both the data source—in this case, the path to the custom text file on the Linux server—and the destination table where the logs will be stored. Unlike legacy agents, AMA cannot ingest custom logs without a DCR explicitly mapping the file to a custom table you create in the workspace. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that custom log ingestion with AMA is a two-step process: table creation first, then DCR configuration. A common trap is assuming AMA can automatically parse arbitrary text files like it does for syslog or Windows events, but custom logs always require a defined schema. Memory tip: think "Table first, DCR second" to avoid the trap of skipping the custom table step.
SC-200 Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft sentinel. 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 SOC team uses Microsoft Sentinel and needs to ingest custom logs from an on-premises Linux server that writes events to a local text file. The team installs the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) on the Linux server. Which configuration step is required in Sentinel to collect the custom log file?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a custom table in the Log Analytics workspace and configure a Data Collection Rule (DCR) to ingest the file
Option A is correct because Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) requires a Data Collection Rule (DCR) to define the data source (custom log file path) and the destination table in the Log Analytics workspace. Since the log is a custom text file (not syslog or a standard Windows event), you must first create a custom table (using the workspace's schema or via the 'Create custom log' wizard) and then configure the DCR to ingest the file into that table. This is the only supported method for AMA-based custom log ingestion.
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.
✓
Create a custom table in the Log Analytics workspace and configure a Data Collection Rule (DCR) to ingest the file
Why this is correct
AMA uses DCRs to ingest custom logs; you must define the table and transformation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use the Syslog connector and map the file to a facility
Why it's wrong here
Syslog connector is for syslog data, not arbitrary text files.
✗
Install the Log Analytics agent (MMA) and configure Custom Logs in the agent settings
Why it's wrong here
MMA is being deprecated; AMA is the current agent, and it requires DCRs, not MMA settings.
✗
Create a scheduled analytics rule that reads the file via an API
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled rules query logs already ingested, they do not collect files.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the legacy MMA custom log configuration (which used the agent's own settings) with the modern AMA approach, which requires a DCR and a custom table — or they incorrectly assume Syslog can ingest any text file by simply mapping it to a facility.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, AMA uses the 'Custom Logs' data source type in a DCR, which specifies the file path (e.g., /var/log/myapp.log) and a custom table name (e.g., MyApp_CL). The agent tails the file using inotify and sends new lines as JSON to the Log Analytics workspace via the Logs Ingestion API. A subtle behavior: the custom table must have a predefined schema (usually with a 'RawData' column) or you must define the schema manually; the DCR can also include a transform (KQL) to parse the log line into structured fields.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a custom table in the Log Analytics workspace and configure a Data Collection Rule (DCR) to ingest the file — Option A is correct because Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) requires a Data Collection Rule (DCR) to define the data source (custom log file path) and the destination table in the Log Analytics workspace. Since the log is a custom text file (not syslog or a standard Windows event), you must first create a custom table (using the workspace's schema or via the 'Create custom log' wizard) and then configure the DCR to ingest the file into that table. This is the only supported method for AMA-based custom log ingestion.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 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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