Create an Azure Private Endpoint for the Azure SQL logical server that hosts db1, place the private endpoint in VNET1, and integrate it with the private DNS zone:
privatelink.database.windows.net
This is the correct solution because Azure SQL Database is a PaaS service. You do not assign a private IP directly to db1. Instead, Azure creates a private endpoint network interface in the virtual network. That private endpoint receives a private IP address from a subnet in VNET1, and clients in VNET1 use that private IP path to reach the SQL server. Microsoft defines a private endpoint as a network interface that uses a private IP address from your virtual network to connect privately to a Private Link resource such as Azure SQL Database.
Azure Portal Method — Recommended for Simulation
Step 1: Identify the SQL logical server that hosts db1
Sign in to the Azure portal.
Search for SQL databases.
Open db1.
On the database overview page, identify the Server name.
The private endpoint is created for the Azure SQL logical server, not for the database object alone. For Azure SQL Database, the Private Link resource type is:
Microsoft.Sql/servers
and the target subresource is:
sqlServer
Microsoft lists Azure SQL Database private endpoint DNS configuration under Microsoft.Sql/servers with subresource sqlServer.
Step 2: Open the SQL server networking page
Open the Azure SQL logical server that hosts db1.
In the left menu, go to:
Security > Networking
Select the Private access tab.
Select Create a private endpoint.
Microsoft’s Azure SQL private endpoint workflow is performed from the SQL server resource under Networking > Private access, where you can create or manage private endpoint connections.
Step 3: Configure the private endpoint basics
On the Create private endpoint page:
Setting
Value
Subscription
Use the lab subscription
Resource group
Use the lab resource group
Name
pe-db1-sql
Region
Same region as VNET1, if possible
The name is not exam-critical. The critical part is that the endpoint is associated with VNET1 and the SQL server that hosts db1.
Step 4: Configure the target resource
On the Resource tab, configure:
Setting
Value
Connection method
Connect to an Azure resource in my directory
Resource type
Microsoft.Sql/servers
Resource
SQL logical server that hosts db1
Target sub-resource
sqlServer
Do not choose storage, VM, managed instance, or any unrelated resource type. This is Azure SQL Database, so the target subresource must be sqlServer.
Step 5: Configure VNET1 and subnet
On the Virtual Network tab:
Setting
Value
Virtual network
VNET1
Subnet
Select an available subnet in VNET1
Private IP configuration
Dynamic is fine unless the lab requires static
Azure will create a network interface for the private endpoint and assign it a private IP address from the selected subnet. Microsoft notes that the network interface page for the private endpoint shows the private IP address assigned to the private endpoint connection.
Step 6: Configure private DNS integration
On the DNS tab:
Enable private DNS zone integration.
Use or create the private DNS zone:
privatelink.database.windows.net
Link the private DNS zone to:
VNET1
This is not optional in a clean exam solution. Without DNS integration, clients may still resolve the SQL server name to the public endpoint instead of the private endpoint. Microsoft states that DNS is critical because it resolves the private endpoint IP address, and for Azure SQL Database the recommended private DNS zone is privatelink.database.windows.net.
Step 7: Review and create
Select Review + create.
Confirm:
Resource: SQL logical server hosting db1
Target subresource: sqlServer
Virtual network: VNET1
Private DNS zone: privatelink.database.windows.net
Select Create.
After deployment, the SQL server will have a private endpoint connection associated with VNET1.
Step 8: Approve the private endpoint connection if required
In most same-directory deployments, approval may be automatic. If approval is pending:
Open the SQL logical server.
Go to:
Networking > Private access
Select the pending private endpoint connection.
Select Approve.
Microsoft documents that SQL administrators can approve or reject private endpoint connections from the SQL server private access page.
Step 9: Optional but recommended — Disable public network access
The task only says you need to connect by private IP from VNET1. It does not explicitly say to block public access. But if the exam expects private-only access, then disable public access after the private endpoint works.
On the SQL logical server:
Go to:
Security > Networking > Public access
Set Public network access to:
Disabled
or select:
Deny public network access
Save.
Be careful: Microsoft states that adding a private endpoint does not automatically block public routing to the logical server. Public access must be denied separately if you want private-only access.
How to Connect from SSMS
You should connect from a machine that is inside VNET1, such as an Azure VM joined to VNET1.
Step 1: Test DNS from a VM in VNET1
From a VM in VNET1, run:
nslookup < sql-server-name > .database.windows.net
Expected result: the name should resolve through the private endpoint path and return a private IP address from VNET1’s address space.
Microsoft explains that connection URLs do not change; DNS resolution is overridden so the existing service FQDN resolves to the private endpoint private IP address.
Step 2: Connect with SSMS
In SSMS, connect using the normal Azure SQL server name:
< sql-server-name > .database.windows.net
Then select database:
db1
Use normal SQL authentication or Microsoft Entra authentication.
Do not type the raw private IP address into SSMS unless the lab specifically forces it. For Azure SQL, the correct operational pattern is to connect to the SQL server FQDN and allow private DNS to resolve that FQDN to the private endpoint IP. Direct IP connection can cause TLS/certificate name problems because the server certificate matches the DNS name, not the private IP.
Verification
The task is complete when all of these are true:
Private endpoint exists for the SQL logical server hosting db1.
Target subresource is sqlServer.
The private endpoint is deployed into VNET1.
A private IP address is assigned to the private endpoint NIC.
Private DNS zone privatelink.database.windows.net exists.
The private DNS zone is linked to VNET1.
The SQL server FQDN resolves to the private endpoint private IP from inside VNET1.
SSMS can connect to db1 from a VM or client connected to VNET1.
Final Exam-Lab Action
Use the Azure portal and configure:
SQL server hosting db1
> Networking
> Private access
> Create private endpoint
Resource type: Microsoft.Sql/servers
Target subresource: sqlServer
Virtual network: VNET1
Private DNS zone: privatelink.database.windows.net
Then connect from a VM or client in VNET1 using:
< sql-server-name > .database.windows.net
That is the correct way to ensure db1 is reachable through a private IP address on VNET1.
