Quick Answer
The answer is the 99.9% Azure VM SLA for a single instance. This SLA applies when a single virtual machine uses premium SSD or ultra disks and is deployed within a single datacenter or availability zone, guaranteeing that if the physical host fails, the VM will automatically restart on another host in the same datacenter. For the AZ-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that the 99.9% SLA covers connectivity and automatic recovery from hardware failures for a standalone VM, not the higher 99.95% or 99.99% SLAs that require multiple instances in an availability set or zone. A common trap is confusing this with high-availability setups; remember that a single VM with premium disks gets the 99.9% guarantee, while adding a second VM in an availability set bumps it to 99.95%. Memory tip: think “one VM, one nine” for 99.9%—single instance, single datacenter recovery.
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe azure architecture and services. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 to run a virtual machine for development. They want to ensure that if the physical server hosting the VM fails, the VM is automatically restarted on another server within the same Azure datacenter. Which Azure SLA does this scenario relate to?
99.9% VM SLA for a single instance
A single VM SLA ensures connectivity and restarts but has exclusions for hardware failures.
99.95% VM SLA for multiple instances
Why wrong: Multiple instances in an availability set provide a higher SLA, not applicable here.
99.99% SQL Database SLA
Why wrong: SQL Database has its own SLA, not for VMs.
No SLA applied
Why wrong: Azure provides an SLA for VMs; it is not absent.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
99.9% VM SLA for a single instance
The scenario describes a single VM that automatically restarts on another physical host within the same datacenter after a hardware failure. This is covered by the Azure VM SLA for a single instance, which guarantees 99.9% uptime when you use premium SSD or ultra disks and have the VM deployed in a single availability zone or just within a datacenter. The SLA specifically addresses connectivity to the VM and its automatic recovery from host failures, not multi-instance redundancy.
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.
99.9% VM SLA for a single instance
Why this is correct
A single VM SLA ensures connectivity and restarts but has exclusions for hardware failures.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
99.95% VM SLA for multiple instances
Why it's wrong here
Multiple instances in an availability set provide a higher SLA, not applicable here.
99.99% SQL Database SLA
Why it's wrong here
SQL Database has its own SLA, not for VMs.
No SLA applied
Why it's wrong here
Azure provides an SLA for VMs; it is not absent.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume a single VM has no SLA or that the 99.95% SLA applies to any two VMs, but Azure specifically ties the 99.95% SLA to multiple instances in an availability set or zones, while a single VM with premium storage still gets a 99.9% SLA.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the 99.9% SLA for a single VM relies on the Azure Fabric Controller detecting a physical host failure and automatically restarting the VM on a healthy host within the same cluster. This process typically completes within a few minutes, but the SLA credits are based on monthly uptime percentage; if the VM fails to restart or remains unreachable, you may be eligible for service credits. A subtle behavior is that the SLA does not cover downtime caused by the customer (e.g., OS-level crashes or misconfigurations), and it requires the VM to have all OS disks and data disks on premium SSD or ultra disk to qualify.
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
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FAQ
Describe Azure architecture and services — This question tests Describe Azure architecture and services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 99.9% VM SLA for a single instance — The scenario describes a single VM that automatically restarts on another physical host within the same datacenter after a hardware failure. This is covered by the Azure VM SLA for a single instance, which guarantees 99.9% uptime when you use premium SSD or ultra disks and have the VM deployed in a single availability zone or just within a datacenter. The SLA specifically addresses connectivity to the VM and its automatic recovery from host failures, not multi-instance redundancy.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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