AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```json
{
"$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
"contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
"parameters": {
"storageAccountName": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"resources": [
{
"type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
"apiVersion": "2023-01-01",
"name": "[parameters('storageAccountName')]",
"location": "[resourceGroup().location]",
"sku": {
"name": "Standard_GRS"
},
"kind": "StorageV2",
"properties": {
"supportsHttpsTrafficOnly": true
}
}
]
}
```Refer to the exhibit. An organization deploys this ARM template to create a storage account. They need to ensure that data is replicated synchronously across two Azure regions. Does this template meet the requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse GRS’s geo-redundancy with synchronous replication, not realizing that GRS uses asynchronous replication to the secondary region, while synchronous replication is only available within a single region (LRS, ZRS) or across availability zones (ZRS).
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
No, GRS provides asynchronous replication
The template uses GRS (Geo-Redundant Storage), which replicates data asynchronously from the primary region to the secondary region. Because the replication is asynchronous, there is a potential for data loss if a regional disaster occurs before the secondary region is fully updated. The requirement specifies synchronous replication across two Azure regions, which is only provided by Azure Storage’s geo-zone-redundant storage (GZRS) with read-access (RA-GZRS) or by using Azure Files with synchronous replication via Azure File Sync or a third-party solution. Therefore, GRS does not meet the synchronous requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
No, the template uses RA-GRS
Why it's wrong here
This answer is incorrect because the ARM template specifies the Standard_GRS SKU, not RA-GRS. While RA-GRS would add read access to the secondary region, it also uses asynchronous replication, so it would not make the replication synchronous. The template's actual configuration is GRS, which is asynchronous, so this option misidentifies the replication type.
- ✗
Yes, GRS provides synchronous replication
Why it's wrong here
Choosing 'Yes' is incorrect because GRS is explicitly an asynchronous replication strategy. Data is written to the primary region first and then copied to the paired secondary region with a delay, not in real time; synchronous replication is only provided by LRS or ZRS within the primary region. Thus, GRS cannot be described as synchronous.
- ✗
No, the template uses LRS
Why it's wrong here
The template's storage account is configured with Standard_GRS, not LRS. LRS only maintains three synchronous copies within a single data center and offers no geo-redundancy, whereas GRS replicates asynchronously to a separate region. The template's SKU is clearly GRS, so the LRS claim is factually inaccurate.
- ✓
No, GRS provides asynchronous replication
Why this is correct
The correct answer is 'No' because GRS replicates data asynchronously to a secondary region, meaning there is a lag between writes to the primary and their availability in the secondary. Azure's GRS and RA-GRS are always asynchronous for cross-region copies, unlike LRS/ZRS which are synchronous within the primary region. This asynchronous behavior introduces a recovery point objective (RPO) that can be minutes or hours, so GRS does not provide synchronous replication.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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