Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Site Recovery Recovery Plans and Azure Automation runbooks. Recovery Plans allow you to orchestrate the failover sequence of multiple VMs, while Azure Automation runbooks can be integrated directly into those plans to execute custom post-failover tasks, such as updating DNS records, reconfiguring network settings, or starting dependent applications. This combination is the standard, built-in method for achieving automated failover with Azure Site Recovery, as runbooks provide the scripting logic needed for complex recovery steps. On the AZ-305 exam, this question tests your understanding of disaster recovery automation versus monitoring or backup services—a common trap is confusing Azure Logic Apps with Automation, but the exam specifically pairs runbooks with Recovery Plans for this scenario. Remember the memory tip: “Plan the sequence, run the book” to link Recovery Plans with Automation runbooks for failover automation.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design business continuity 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 company uses Azure Site Recovery to replicate VMs from the primary region to the secondary region. During a disaster, they want to ensure that the failover process is automated and includes runbooks to perform post-failover actions. Which TWO components are required? (Choose two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Azure Automation runbooks
Runbooks can perform post-failover actions.
Azure Site Recovery Recovery Plans
Recovery Plans orchestrate failover and can include runbooks.
Azure Monitor alerts
Why wrong: Alerts can trigger actions but are not part of the failover automation.
Azure Logic Apps
Why wrong: Not typically used for ASR runbooks; Automation is the standard.
Azure Backup
Why wrong: Backup is not for automated failover.
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 Automation runbooks
Options B and D are correct. Azure Automation runbooks can be integrated into recovery plans to execute tasks after failover. Recovery Plans in Azure Site Recovery allow you to sequence the failover of VMs and include runbooks. Option A is wrong because Azure Backup is not involved in failover. Option C is wrong because Azure Logic Apps is not the standard way; Automation is used. Option E is wrong because Azure Monitor is for monitoring, not failover automation.
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 Automation runbooks
Why this is correct
Runbooks can perform post-failover actions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Site Recovery Recovery Plans
Why this is correct
Recovery Plans orchestrate failover and can include runbooks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Monitor alerts
Why it's wrong here
Alerts can trigger actions but are not part of the failover automation.
Azure Logic Apps
Why it's wrong here
Not typically used for ASR runbooks; Automation is the standard.
Azure Backup
Why it's wrong here
Backup is not for automated failover.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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.
Design business continuity solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Design business continuity solutions — This question tests Design business continuity solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Automation runbooks — Options B and D are correct. Azure Automation runbooks can be integrated into recovery plans to execute tasks after failover. Recovery Plans in Azure Site Recovery allow you to sequence the failover of VMs and include runbooks. Option A is wrong because Azure Backup is not involved in failover. Option C is wrong because Azure Logic Apps is not the standard way; Automation is used. Option E is wrong because Azure Monitor is for monitoring, not failover automation.
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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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