Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304) Practice Test

For a .NET web service that requires reading and writing temporary files and using the Windows Application event log, which hosting solution would minimize maintenance overhead and costs?

1. Azure Function

2. App Service Environment

3. An Azure virtual machine scale set

4. An Azure web app

The correct answer is: An Azure virtual machine scale set

The ideal solution for hosting a .NET web service that requires functionalities such as reading and writing temporary files and accessing the Windows Application event log is an Azure web app. This hosting option allows for efficient management without the extensive overhead commonly associated with virtual machines. Azure web apps are designed to simplify the hosting of web applications by handling much of the underlying infrastructure management automatically. They provide built-in scalability and high availability and support various programming languages and frameworks, including .NET. Unlike a virtual machine scale set, which involves configuring and maintaining multiple virtual machines, an Azure web app minimizes the focus on infrastructure maintenance, allowing developers to concentrate on application development rather than resource management. Using an Azure web app also comes with integrated monitoring and logging capabilities, which can track application performance and errors without requiring additional setup, further reducing maintenance efforts. The other options, such as Azure Functions or an App Service Environment, might also be suitable in certain scenarios, but the requirements for reading and writing temporary files and writing to the Windows Application event log fit best with the features and ease of use offered by Azure web apps.