AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
Which TWO data storage solutions in Azure provide built-in, automatic geo-redundancy for disaster recovery across paired regions?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume all Azure storage services have built-in geo-redundancy by default, but only specific services (like SQL Database with active geo-replication and Blob Storage with GRS/RA-GRS) offer it automatically without additional configuration.
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
✓
Azure SQL Database (active geo-replication)
Azure SQL Database's active geo-replication automatically creates a readable secondary database in a paired Azure region, enabling synchronous or asynchronous replication for disaster recovery. Azure Blob Storage with GRS or RA-GRS replicates data to a paired secondary region automatically, ensuring durability even during a regional outage. Both services provide built-in geo-redundancy without manual configuration beyond selecting the replication 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 Database (active geo-replication)
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database active geo-replication is a built-in feature that continuously replicates committed transactions from a primary database to a readable secondary in a paired Azure region. This is a native capability of the platform, not an add-on or explicit custom configuration. It supports manual failover and provides a clear disaster recovery path with minimal administrative overhead, making it a correct answer.
- ✗
Azure Cosmos DB (default)
Why it's wrong here
By default, Azure Cosmos DB accounts use single-region writes, meaning all write operations are serviced by replicas in one region unless you explicitly enable multiple write regions. The built-in default does not automatically replicate data across geographic boundaries. Because the question asks for built-in geo-replication out of the box, Cosmos DB's default configuration does not qualify until you manually add regions and turn on multi-region writes.
- ✓
Azure Blob Storage (with GRS or RA-GRS)
Why this is correct
Azure Blob Storage configured with Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS) or Read-Access Geo-Redundant Storage (RA-GRS) has built-in geo-replication: data is asynchronously copied to a paired secondary region at the storage account level. This replication happens automatically and transparently, with RA-GRS also permitting read access to the secondary copy. No application-code changes or separate features are required, making Blob Storage a correct answer.
- ✗
Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
Why it's wrong here
Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 is not a standalone geo-replication solution; it is a hierarchical namespace layered on top of Azure Blob Storage. Its data redundancy inherits the settings of the underlying storage account, so geo-replication happens only when that account is explicitly configured for GRS or RA-GRS. Without that specific account-level setting, ADLS Gen2 data is not automatically geo-replicated, making it an incorrect choice.
- ✗
Azure Files (standard tier)
Why it's wrong here
Azure Files in the standard tier supports only Locally Redundant Storage (LRS) and Zone-Redundant Storage (ZRS); it offers no geo-redundant storage option and has no built-in mechanism to replicate file shares to a paired region. This means data in Azure Files remains within a single region or zone unless you implement application-level replication. Since the question asks for built-in geo-replication, Azure Files standard tier fails the requirement.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
Go deeper
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About these practice questions
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-305 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-305 exam.