AZ-900 Describe Azure architecture and services Practice Question
Which Azure service provides a relational database compatible with open-source MySQL?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Azure Database for MySQL with Azure SQL Database or Azure Database for MariaDB, assuming any 'database' service with SQL in the name is MySQL-compatible, but each service targets a different database engine.
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 Database for MySQL
Azure Database for MySQL is the correct answer because it is a fully managed relational database service specifically built for the MySQL community edition, providing high availability, automatic backups, and built-in security features. It is compatible with the open-source MySQL protocol and tools, allowing you to migrate existing MySQL workloads without code changes.
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
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database is built on a proprietary Microsoft SQL Server engine, not the MySQL engine, so it cannot run MySQL-compatible workloads or accept MySQL client connections. It is tempting because it is Azure’s flagship relational database service, and would be the correct choice for a scenario requiring a fully managed SQL Server–based database with T-SQL dialect support, such as migrating an on-premises SQL Server instance.
- ✓
Azure Database for MySQL
Why this is correct
Azure Database for MySQL is the correct choice because it is a fully managed PaaS offering built on the open-source MySQL community engine. It natively supports the MySQL wire protocol and tools like mysql CLI and MySQL Workbench, making it drop-in compatible for existing MySQL workloads. The service provides built-in high availability, automated backups, and scaling without requiring you to manage infrastructure.
- ✗
Azure Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model NoSQL database that supports dedicated APIs for document, graph, table, Cassandra, and MongoDB models. While it offers a MongoDB-compatible API, it does not implement the MySQL wire protocol or SQL dialect for relational MySQL workloads. Cosmos DB is optimized for schema-flexible data at global scale, not for replacing a transactional relational database like MySQL.
- ✗
Azure Database for MariaDB
Why it's wrong here
Azure Database for MariaDB is a managed service for the MariaDB engine, which is a fork of MySQL with its own version history and feature set. Even though MariaDB retains compatibility with many MySQL clients, MySQL and MariaDB are distinct managed services in Azure with different upgrade paths and supported versions. Since the scenario specifically asks for the service based on MySQL community edition, Azure Database for MySQL must be selected rather than Azure Database for MariaDB.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Azure Regions and Geographies
Key term
High availability
High availability is a system design approach that aims to keep applications and services operational and accessible with minimal downtime, even when some components fail.
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-900 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-900 exam.