Which Azure service and artifact deploy DR VMs via CI/CD?
HOTSPOT
You have an Azure subscription. The subscription contains virtual machines that run Windows Server.
You are designing a disaster recovery solution that will immediately deploy a new virtual machine when an existing virtual machine fails. The solution must meet the following requirements:
• New virtual machines must be deployed with all the required configurations in place.
• Virtual machine deployments must use an infrastructure as code (IaC) methodology.
• New virtual machines must be created by using standard Microsoft disk images.
• New virtual machines must be authorized by virtual machine administrators.
• Virtual machine deployments must be managed by using CI/CD pipelines.
You need to recommend which service to use to manage the virtual machine deployment process and which artifact to use to create each virtual machine.
What should you recommend? To answer, select the appropriate options in the answer area.
NOTE: Each correct selection is worth one point.
Community Insight
The question tests mapping 'CI/CD pipelines' to Azure DevOps and 'IaC with standard Microsoft disk images' to an ARM template; the trap is choosing Azure VM Image Builder or a custom managed image.
This AZ-305 hotspot tests selecting the service and artifact that can rebuild a failed VM immediately through CI/CD with standard Microsoft images. It establishes Azure DevOps pipelines and an ARM template as the correct pairing, not a custom-image builder.
Candidates often pick Azure VM Image Builder or Azure Compute Gallery because the scenario mentions repeatable VM creation, but those produce custom images rather than deploying marketplace-based VMs through CI/CD with administrator approval.
Community Discussion (1 comments)
Comments & Corrections
No comments yet — spotted an error or have a note? Share it below.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
Azure DevOps, specifically Azure Pipelines, is the service that manages the deployment process because the requirement explicitly calls for CI/CD pipelines and administrator authorization. Pipeline approvals or checks can require virtual machine administrators to authorize a run before the new VM is deployed. The artifact should be an Azure Resource Manager (ARM) template because it is infrastructure as code, captures all required VM configuration, and can reference a standard Microsoft marketplace image through its imageReference properties. Together, Azure DevOps and an ARM template satisfy immediate redeployment, IaC, standard images, administrator approval, and CI/CD control.Why Other Candidate Answers Are Wrong
Azure VM Image Builder is a distractor because it builds custom images; it does not deploy virtual machines or provide CI/CD orchestration. Azure Compute Gallery and managed images would also shift the solution toward custom images, contradicting the requirement to use standard Microsoft disk images. Azure Automation runbooks can start or script tasks, but they are not the primary CI/CD pipeline service and do not provide the same approval-driven deployment workflow. A manual ARM template deployment from the portal also fails the CI/CD and administrator authorization requirements.Community Comment Notes
As mesloth noted, "Azure VM Image Builder does not deploy VMs. It only creates custom images", which directly explains why it cannot be the deployment service or artifact here. That comment reinforces the key discriminator in the stem: the solution must deploy new VMs from standard Microsoft images, not manufacture custom images first. The community observation aligns with the vendor doctrine that image-building tools are not substitutes for pipeline-driven infrastructure deployment.Official Reference
Exam Strategy
When the stem mentions CI/CD pipelines, look for Azure DevOps Pipelines as the deployment management service before considering automation or image tools. Then separate orchestration from artifacts: standard Microsoft images point to an ARM template imageReference, not VM Image Builder or a custom managed image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not use Azure VM Image Builder for the AZ-305 VM disaster recovery deployment?
VM Image Builder creates custom images but does not deploy VMs or provide CI/CD orchestration, and the scenario requires standard Microsoft disk images.
How does Azure DevOps satisfy the VM administrator authorization requirement?
Azure Pipelines supports approvals and checks that can require virtual machine administrators to authorize a deployment before the new VM is created.
Related Analysis
Practice All AZ-305 Questions
Access 95 questions with complete answers and detailed explanations.
View Full AZ-305 Practice Test →