1Y0-312 Advanced Site Architecture Practice Question
A Citrix architect is designing a new Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 site. The company wants to minimize the number of machines required in the data center while ensuring that the site database is highly available. The architect decides to use SQL Server Always On availability groups. What is the minimum number of SQL Server instances required to support this configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that more instances are needed for high availability, when in fact two is the minimum for SQL Server Always On availability groups.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Two SQL Server instances configured in an Always On availability group.
SQL Server Always On availability groups require at least two SQL Server instances to provide high availability. One instance acts as the primary replica, and the other as the secondary replica. This configuration allows automatic failover if the primary fails, ensuring the Citrix site database remains available with minimal additional infrastructure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Two SQL Server instances configured in an Always On availability group.
Why this is correct
SQL Server Always On availability groups require a minimum of two nodes: one primary replica and one secondary replica. This provides automatic failover and high availability for the site database. The two instances can be on separate servers or on the same server with multiple instances, but for true high availability they should be on separate physical or virtual machines.
- ✗
Three SQL Server instances configured in an Always On availability group.
Why it's wrong here
While three instances can be used to provide additional redundancy, it is not the minimum required. Always On availability groups can function with just two instances: one primary and one secondary. Adding a third increases cost and complexity without being mandatory for basic high availability.
- ✗
Four SQL Server instances configured in an Always On availability group.
Why it's wrong here
Four instances are not required for a basic highly available SQL Server configuration. Always On availability groups support up to eight secondary replicas, but the minimum for high availability is two. Using four would be overkill and unnecessarily increase the footprint, contradicting the goal to minimize machines.
- ✗
One SQL Server instance with Always On availability groups configured on a single node.
Why it's wrong here
Always On availability groups require at least two nodes to provide high availability. A single node cannot form an availability group because there is no secondary replica to fail over to. Therefore, one instance is insufficient for high availability. The minimum is two nodes.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Citrix exam blueprint
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