ARM template resources section in Azure - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Configuration

intermediate

Identify the number of resources deployed

Given the following ARM template resources section, how many resources will be deployed?

Azure

{
  "resources": [
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
      "apiVersion": "2022-09-01",
      "name": "storageaccount1",
      "location": "eastus",
      "sku": { "name": "Standard_LRS" },
      "kind": "StorageV2"
    },
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines",
      "apiVersion": "2022-08-01",
      "name": "vm1",
      "location": "eastus",
      "properties": {
        "hardwareProfile": { "vmSize": "Standard_DS1_v2" }
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
      "apiVersion": "2022-09-01",
      "name": "storageaccount2",
      "location": "westus",
      "sku": { "name": "Standard_GRS" },
      "kind": "StorageV2"
    }
  ]
}

A 3

B 4

C 1

D 2

💡 Hint

Count each resource object inside the resources array.

The resources section contains three resource objects: two storage accounts and one virtual machine. Each object represents one resource to deploy.

❓ service_behavior

intermediate

Determine the deployment behavior with dependsOn

In an ARM template, if resource B has dependsOn set to resource A, what does this mean for deployment order?

A Resource B deploys before resource A

B Resource B deploys after resource A

C Resource B deployment is skipped if resource A fails

D Resources A and B deploy simultaneously

💡 Hint

dependsOn controls deployment sequence.

dependsOn ensures resource B waits until resource A finishes deploying before starting.

❓ Architecture

advanced

Identify the correct resource type for a virtual network

Which resource type string is correct to define a virtual network in an ARM template?

A Microsoft.Compute/virtualNetworks

B Microsoft.Storage/virtualNetworks

C Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworks

D Microsoft.Network/virtualMachines

💡 Hint

Virtual networks belong to the Network provider namespace.

Virtual networks are defined under Microsoft.Network with the resource type virtualNetworks.

❓ security

advanced

Identify the security risk in ARM template parameters

Which practice is a security risk when defining parameters in an ARM template?

A Hardcoding passwords directly in the template parameters section

B Using secureString type for passwords

C Referencing Key Vault secrets in parameters

D Using parameters without default values

💡 Hint

Think about exposing secrets in code.

Hardcoding passwords in templates exposes secrets and is insecure. Using secureString or Key Vault references is safer.

✅ Best Practice

expert

Choose the best practice for resource naming in ARM templates

Which option follows best practice for naming resources in ARM templates to avoid conflicts and improve clarity?

A Use names with spaces and special characters for readability

B Use fixed names like 'storageaccount' for all deployments

C Use random GUIDs as resource names without context

D Use unique names by combining parameters, resource group name, and a suffix

💡 Hint

Think about uniqueness and clarity in resource names.

Combining parameters and context ensures unique, meaningful names and avoids deployment conflicts.