Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-301) Practice Exam

Which deployment method minimizes administration effort while ensuring consistent recreation of resources in Azure?

1. Using PowerShell scripts

2. Using ARM templates

3. Using Azure DevOps pipelines

4. Using Azure Resource Manager manually

The correct answer is: Using ARM templates

The choice of using ARM (Azure Resource Manager) templates as the deployment method significantly minimizes administration effort and ensures that resources in Azure are recreated consistently. ARM templates allow you to define your infrastructure and services in a declarative manner using JSON format, which means you can specify the desired state of all resources without having to manage each resource manually. By deploying resources through an ARM template, you benefit from several advantages. First, the infrastructure as code (IaC) approach allows for version control of the templates, making it easier to track changes and roll back if necessary. Additionally, since the templates are reusable, you can deploy the same configuration consistently across multiple environments (development, testing, production) without the need for repetitive manual configurations. This method also supports idempotency, meaning that running the same template multiple times will produce the same result without causing duplicate resources or errors, which is crucial for maintaining operational consistency. In contrast, other deployment options may require more hands-on administration or lack the same level of repeatability. For instance, PowerShell scripts involve scripting each operation, which can lead to inconsistencies if not managed carefully. Azure DevOps pipelines are primarily focused on CI/CD processes and while they can automate deployments, they may not inherently guarantee the same level