Quick Answer
The correct answer includes Azure SQL Database active geo-replication, Azure Traffic Manager with priority routing, and Azure App Service with deployment slots in the secondary region. Active geo-replication continuously synchronizes data to a secondary region, enabling automatic failover with minimal data loss by maintaining readable replicas. Azure Traffic Manager with priority routing directs user traffic to the primary region and automatically switches to the secondary region when the primary becomes unavailable, while App Service deployment slots allow the application to be pre-deployed and ready for instant failover. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to design a complete regional failover solution that combines database, networking, and compute layers, rather than relying on a single service. A common trap is choosing Azure Front Door, which excels at global load balancing but does not handle SQL database failover, or Azure DNS, which lacks automatic routing. Remember the three-layer tip: replicate the data, route the traffic, and stage the app.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 global e-commerce company is designing a highly available application on Azure. The application uses Azure SQL Database and requires that in the event of a regional outage, failover to a secondary region occurs automatically without manual intervention. The solution must minimize data loss. Which THREE components should be included? (Choose three.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Azure App Service with deployment slots in secondary region
Hosts application standby instance.
Azure Traffic Manager with priority routing
Directs traffic to primary region, fails over to secondary.
Azure Front Door with health probes
Why wrong: Not for SQL failover.
Azure SQL Database active geo-replication
Replicates data to secondary region.
Azure DNS with alias records
Why wrong: Does not provide automated failover routing.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure App Service with deployment slots in secondary region
Options A, C, and E are correct. Azure SQL Database active geo-replication provides continuous replication. Azure Traffic Manager with priority routing ensures automatic traffic redirection. Azure App Service with deployment slots in secondary region allows fast application failover. Option B is wrong because Azure Front Door is for global load balancing, not SQL failover. Option D is wrong because Azure DNS does not provide failover routing.
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.
Azure App Service with deployment slots in secondary region
Why this is correct
Hosts application standby instance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Traffic Manager with priority routing
Why this is correct
Directs traffic to primary region, fails over to secondary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Front Door with health probes
Why it's wrong here
Not for SQL failover.
Azure SQL Database active geo-replication
Why this is correct
Replicates data to secondary region.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure DNS with alias records
Why it's wrong here
Does not provide automated failover routing.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Azure App Service with deployment slots in secondary region — Options A, C, and E are correct. Azure SQL Database active geo-replication provides continuous replication. Azure Traffic Manager with priority routing ensures automatic traffic redirection. Azure App Service with deployment slots in secondary region allows fast application failover. Option B is wrong because Azure Front Door is for global load balancing, not SQL failover. Option D is wrong because Azure DNS does not provide failover routing.
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.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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