Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A company runs a critical SQL Server database on an Azure virtual machine. They need a high-availability solution within a single region that provides automatic failover, zero data loss (synchronous replication), and support read-only routing for reporting workloads. Which solution should they implement?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
SQL Server Always On Availability Group with synchronous replication across availability zones
Correct. This configuration provides automatic failover, synchronous commit for zero data loss, and readable secondary replicas for reporting.
B
Distractor review
SQL Server Always On Failover Cluster Instance (FCI) with shared disks
Incorrect. FCI uses shared storage and provides automatic failover but does not support readable secondary replicas.
C
Distractor review
Azure SQL Database Managed Instance with active geo-replication
Incorrect. This is a PaaS option, not suitable for SQL Server on Azure VMs, and geo-replication is asynchronous by default.
D
Distractor review
Azure SQL Database with active geo-replication
Incorrect. This is a PaaS solution for Azure SQL Database, not for SQL Server on Azure VMs.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A company is designing hub-and-spoke networking. Spoke VNets must use a central Azure Firewall for outbound internet traffic. Which two configurations are required?
Question 2
A company is designing private access to a PaaS database from workloads in a VNet. The database should not be reachable over its public endpoint. What should be recommended?
Question 3
A data platform must support analytical queries over petabytes of files in a data lake, while preserving hierarchical namespaces and fine-grained ACLs. Which storage service should you design around?
Question 4
A database workload has an RPO of 15 minutes and an RTO of 4 hours. Cost is more important than near-zero data loss. Which design is usually more appropriate than synchronous multi-region replication?
Question 5
A hub-and-spoke Azure network must centralize outbound inspection and still allow spokes to resolve private endpoint DNS names. Which two components are commonly required? (Choose 2.)
Question 6
A multinational company uses Microsoft Entra ID and several Azure subscriptions. Security administrators need to review privileged role assignments every month and require justification for continued access. Which design should be recommended?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-305 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SQL Server Always On Availability Group with synchronous replication across availability zones — SQL Server Always On Availability Groups with synchronous replication across availability zones provide automatic failover, zero data loss when configured with a required secondary replica, and allow read-only routing to secondary replicas. A Failover Cluster Instance (FCI) uses shared storage and cannot offer readable secondaries. Azure SQL Database Managed Instance and Azure SQL Database are PaaS solutions, not applicable to SQL Server on Azure VMs.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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