hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped

A company runs a mission-critical SQL Server database on an Azure virtual machine using SQL Server Standard Edition. They need a disaster recovery solution that replicates the database to a secondary Azure region with a recovery point objective (RPO) of 15 minutes and a recovery time objective (RTO) of 1 hour. The solution must support non-disruptive disaster recovery drills. The company cannot modify the SQL Server configuration or use Always On features due to licensing constraints. Which Azure service should they use?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

A company runs a mission-critical SQL Server database on an Azure virtual machine using SQL Server Standard Edition. They need a disaster recovery solution that replicates the database to a secondary Azure region with a recovery point objective (RPO) of 15 minutes and a recovery time objective (RTO) of 1 hour. The solution must support non-disruptive disaster recovery drills. The company cannot modify the SQL Server configuration or use Always On features due to licensing constraints. Which Azure service should they use?

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

Azure Site Recovery

Site Recovery replicates the VM and can create consistent recovery points every 15 minutes. It supports test failovers that do not impact production, fulfilling the DR drill requirement.

B

Distractor review

SQL Server log shipping to a VM in the secondary region

Log shipping requires SQL Server configuration and manual failover, and it does not provide automated testing capabilities. The RTO of 1 hour may be difficult to guarantee.

C

Distractor review

Azure Backup with cross-region restore

Azure Backup provides point-in-time restore but typically has higher RTO (hours to days) and does not support automated failover or non-disruptive drills.

D

Distractor review

Azure SQL Database geo-replication

Geo-replication is for Azure SQL Database only, not for SQL Server on Azure VMs. The database is on a VM, so this service does not apply.

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.

Related practice questions

Related AZ-305 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

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.

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: Azure Site Recovery — Azure Site Recovery can replicate the entire VM to a secondary region and supports non-disruptive test failovers. It can achieve the RPO requirement by using application-consistent recovery points with a frequency of 15 minutes. The RTO of 1 hour is achievable with proper planning. SQL Server log shipping or Azure Backup cannot meet the RTO/RPO. SQL Database geo-replication is not applicable for SQL Server on a VM. Azure Site Recovery is the only option that fits the constraints.

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.

Discussion

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.