A software company hosts multiple small databases for different clients on Azure SQL Database. Each database has low average usage but experiences unpredictable spikes. The company wants to minimize cost by pooling resources across databases while allowing each database to consume resources up to a set limit during spikes. They also need the ability to easily add new databases without manual sizing. Which Azure SQL Database deployment option should they choose?

Azure SQL Database single database with reserved capacity

Single databases are isolated and may be underutilized, leading to higher costs. Reserved capacity reduces cost but does not pool resources across databases.

Azure SQL Managed Instance

SQL Managed Instance is intended for lift-and-shift migrations of large databases and includes more overhead and cost. It is not optimized for pooling many small databases.

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines

SQL Server on VMs requires manual management of resources and is more expensive and complex for many small databases compared to an elastic pool.

What does this AZ-305 question test?

Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Azure SQL Database elastic pool — An Azure SQL Database elastic pool is designed for this scenario. It allows multiple databases to share a common pool of resources, optimizing cost when databases have varying and unpredictable usage patterns. Elastic pools also simplify management by allowing you to add databases without pre-allocating resources. Single databases are more expensive if underutilized, and Managed Instance is for larger, more complex migrations.

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.