The answer is Azure Database for MySQL, a fully managed relational database service that is directly compatible with the open-source MySQL community edition. This service handles critical administrative tasks like automated backups, patching, and high availability, while preserving full MySQL protocol compatibility so existing applications and tools can connect without code changes. On the AZ-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of Azure’s platform-as-a-service database offerings, often appearing alongside similar services like Azure SQL Database or Azure Database for PostgreSQL. A common trap is confusing Azure Database for MySQL with running MySQL on a virtual machine—remember that “fully managed” means Azure handles the infrastructure, not just the OS. For a quick memory tip, think “MySQL on Azure = no mess, no stress,” linking the service name directly to its managed nature and open-source compatibility.
AZ-900 Describe Azure architecture and services Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe azure architecture and services. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which Azure service provides a relational database compatible with open-source MySQL?
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.
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 Database
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database uses Microsoft SQL Server engine, not MySQL.
✓
Azure Database for MySQL
Why this is correct
Azure Database for MySQL is a fully managed service based on the open-source MySQL community edition.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB is a multi-model NoSQL database, not a MySQL-compatible service.
✗
Azure Database for MariaDB
Why it's wrong here
Azure Database for MariaDB uses the MariaDB engine; MySQL and MariaDB are separate managed services.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often 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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Database for MySQL uses the InnoDB storage engine by default and supports MySQL versions 5.7 and 8.0, with features like read replicas across regions and automatic storage scaling up to 16 TB. Under the hood, it leverages Azure's PaaS infrastructure to handle patching, backups with point-in-time restore, and encryption at rest using Azure Storage Service Encryption, while exposing a standard MySQL port 3306 for client connections.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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-900 question in full detail.
Describe Azure architecture and services — This question tests Describe Azure architecture and services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this AZ-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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