hardMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A company hosts a critical database server…
A company hosts a critical database server on-premises. They want to migrate to a cloud solution that allows them to retain full administrative control over the operating system, database software, and security patches, but they do not want to manage the physical server hardware, rack space, or network cabling. Which cloud service model should they choose?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse PaaS with IaaS, thinking PaaS still allows OS control, but PaaS abstracts the OS and runtime, removing administrative access to the operating system and database software.
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
✓
IaaS
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) is the correct choice because it provides virtualized computing resources over the internet, including virtual machines, storage, and networking. The customer retains full administrative control over the operating system, database software, and security patches, while the cloud provider manages the physical server hardware, rack space, and network cabling. This matches the requirement of full OS and application control without physical infrastructure management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
IaaS
Why this is correct
IaaS provides virtualized computing infrastructure over the internet, including virtual machines, storage, and networking. The provider manages the physical hardware and hypervisor, while the customer retains full administrative control over the operating system, middleware, and database software. This matches the requirement for a critical database server where the company needs to manage and tune the database, apply OS-level security patches, and install custom drivers without being responsible for racking servers or maintaining data-center power and cooling.
- ✗
PaaS
Why it's wrong here
PaaS offers an application runtime environment in the cloud, abstracting the operating system and middleware from the customer. The provider automatically patches the OS, updates the runtime, and often supplies a pre-configured database service, which limits the customer's ability to customize kernel parameters, manage database user permissions at the OS level, or perform deep performance tuning. For a critical on-premises database that requires specific OS and database configuration, this loss of administrative control is a significant drawback.
When this WOULD be correct
A company wants to deploy a custom web application without managing the underlying OS or runtime environment, but needs full control over the application code and data. They choose PaaS to avoid OS patching and server maintenance.
- ✗
SaaS
Why it's wrong here
SaaS delivers a complete, ready-to-use software application over the internet, such as a cloud-hosted CRM or ERP. The customer accesses the software via a browser or API and has no visibility into or control over the underlying operating system, database, or infrastructure. Since the question requires hosting a dedicated database server with administrative control, SaaS cannot be used for such a purpose beyond providing an application that might use a database—it is not a platform for running your own database instance.
When this WOULD be correct
A company wants to use a cloud-based email system without managing servers, operating systems, or software updates, and only needs to configure user accounts and settings. In that case, SaaS (e.g., Microsoft 365) would be the correct choice.
- ✗
DaaS
Why it's wrong here
DaaS (Desktop as a Service) delivers virtual desktops. While the customer may control the desktop OS, it is not designed for hosting a dedicated database server and typically does not offer the level of database control required.
When this WOULD be correct
A company wants to provide remote virtual desktops to employees without managing physical hardware or desktop images. They need a solution that delivers full desktop environments over the internet, with the provider handling infrastructure and maintenance.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1201 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓IaaSCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
IaaS provides virtualized computing infrastructure over the internet, including virtual machines, storage, and networking. The provider manages the physical hardware and hypervisor, while the customer retains full administrative control over the operating system, middleware, and database software. This matches the requirement for a critical database server where the company needs to manage and tune the database, apply OS-level security patches, and install custom drivers without being responsible for racking servers or maintaining data-center power and cooling.
✗PaaSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PaaS provides a managed platform where the cloud provider handles the OS and runtime, so the company would not retain full administrative control over the operating system or security patches.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company wants to deploy a custom web application without managing the underlying OS or runtime environment, but needs full control over the application code and data. They choose PaaS to avoid OS patching and server maintenance.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse PaaS with IaaS, thinking PaaS still allows OS control, or they may focus on 'database software' and assume PaaS includes database management without realizing it limits administrative access.
✗SaaSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SaaS provides fully managed software accessed via a web browser, giving the customer no control over the operating system, database software, or security patches, which contradicts the requirement for full administrative control.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company wants to use a cloud-based email system without managing servers, operating systems, or software updates, and only needs to configure user accounts and settings. In that case, SaaS (e.g., Microsoft 365) would be the correct choice.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse SaaS with IaaS because both are cloud service models, and they might think 'software as a service' includes database software, overlooking the lack of administrative control over the underlying infrastructure.
✗DaaSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DaaS (Desktop as a Service) provides virtual desktops, not full control over an OS and database server. The question requires administrative control over the OS and database, which DaaS does not offer; it only manages the desktop environment.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company wants to provide remote virtual desktops to employees without managing physical hardware or desktop images. They need a solution that delivers full desktop environments over the internet, with the provider handling infrastructure and maintenance.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse DaaS with IaaS because both involve cloud-hosted infrastructure, but DaaS is specifically for desktop virtualization, not for hosting a database server with OS-level control.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1201blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.