The correct answer is Azure SQL Database Failover group, specifically a failover group configured with a readable secondary. This is the only Azure SQL Database offering that combines automatic failover with no data loss—achieved through synchronous replication of the primary database to the secondary region—and a readable secondary endpoint for read-scale workloads, all managed as a single logical unit. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between active geo-replication, which requires manual failover, and failover groups, which automate the process while preserving data integrity. A common trap is choosing active geo-replication because it supports multiple readable secondaries, but it lacks the automatic failover guarantee required for mission-critical applications. Remember the mnemonic: “Failover groups fail over for you; geo-replication just replicates.”
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Your company is designing a multi-region disaster recovery solution for a mission-critical application using Azure SQL Database. The application requires read-scale in the secondary region and must support automatic failover with no data loss. Which Azure SQL Database offering should you recommend?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure SQL Database Failover group
Option A is incorrect because Azure SQL Database Single Database with active geo-replication supports up to four readable secondaries but does not provide automatic failover without additional configuration. Option B is correct because Azure SQL Database Hyperscale with named replicas can be used for read-scale in secondary regions, but it does not automatically failover. Option C is correct for automatic failover with no data loss and readable secondary. Option D is incorrect because Azure SQL Managed Instance has limited geo-replication capabilities and does not support automatic failover with no data loss.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Managed Instance does not support automatic failover with no data loss and has limited geo-replication.
✓
Azure SQL Database Failover group
Why this is correct
Failover groups provide automatic failover with no data loss and support a readable secondary region.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure SQL Database Hyperscale with named replicas
Why it's wrong here
Named replicas provide read-scale but do not support automatic failover.
✗
Azure SQL Database Single Database with active geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
Active geo-replication supports multiple readable secondaries but requires manual failover or custom logic for automatic failover.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
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 infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure SQL Database Failover group — Option A is incorrect because Azure SQL Database Single Database with active geo-replication supports up to four readable secondaries but does not provide automatic failover without additional configuration. Option B is correct because Azure SQL Database Hyperscale with named replicas can be used for read-scale in secondary regions, but it does not automatically failover. Option C is correct for automatic failover with no data loss and readable secondary. Option D is incorrect because Azure SQL Managed Instance has limited geo-replication capabilities and does not support automatic failover with no data loss.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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