Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention to 35 days. This works because Azure SQL Database automatically performs full, differential, and transaction log backups, and the PITR retention setting directly controls how far back you can restore the database to any point within that window—with a maximum configurable range of 1 to 35 days for most service tiers. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this question tests your understanding of built-in backup management versus separate services: a common trap is confusing PITR with long-term retention (LTR), which is designed for archival beyond 35 days, or with Azure Backup, which is for IaaS workloads like VMs. Remember that PITR is the native, automatic backup retention for Azure SQL Database, not an external tool. A helpful memory tip: think of PITR as your daily safety net (up to 35 days), while LTR is your yearly vault.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is using Azure SQL Database for a critical application. They need to ensure that the database is automatically backed up and that backups are retained for 35 days. What should they configure?
Enable long-term retention (LTR) for backups
Why wrong: LTR is for longer retention, not the default backup.
Configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention to 35 days
PITR retention can be set up to 35 days for SQL Database.
Configure active geo-replication
Why wrong: Active geo-replication is for disaster recovery.
Use Azure Backup to back up the SQL Database
Why wrong: Azure Backup is for IaaS workloads, not Azure SQL Database.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention to 35 days
Option A is correct because Azure SQL Database automatically performs full, differential, and transaction log backups with a default retention of 7 to 35 days depending on the service tier. Option B is incorrect because long-term retention is for longer periods. Option C is incorrect because geo-replication is for disaster recovery. Option D is incorrect because Azure Backup is for VMs and files, not SQL Database.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Enable long-term retention (LTR) for backups
Why it's wrong here
LTR is for longer retention, not the default backup.
Configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention to 35 days
Why this is correct
PITR retention can be set up to 35 days for SQL Database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Configure active geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
Active geo-replication is for disaster recovery.
Use Azure Backup to back up the SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Azure Backup is for IaaS workloads, not Azure SQL Database.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention to 35 days — Option A is correct because Azure SQL Database automatically performs full, differential, and transaction log backups with a default retention of 7 to 35 days depending on the service tier. Option B is incorrect because long-term retention is for longer periods. Option C is incorrect because geo-replication is for disaster recovery. Option D is incorrect because Azure Backup is for VMs and files, not SQL Database.
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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