- A
Maintenance window
Why wrong: Maintenance window is used for scheduling updates, not for pausing the pool based on inactivity.
- B
Data Exfiltration Prevention
Why wrong: Data Exfiltration Prevention is a security feature to prevent unauthorized data transfer, not related to pausing.
- C
Auto-pause feature
Auto-pause feature is available only for serverless SQL pools, not for dedicated SQL pools.
- D
Workload Management
Why wrong: Workload Management is used for managing concurrency and resource allocation, not for automatic pausing.
Question 364 of 851
Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Configure Auto-Pause for Synapse Dedicated SQL Pool to Save Costs
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: dedicated SQL Pool. 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.
You need to ensure that an Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool automatically pauses after 2 hours of inactivity to save costs. Which feature should you configure?
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
✓
Auto-pause feature
The Auto-pause feature in Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pools automatically suspends the pool after a period of inactivity (default 1 hour, configurable up to 8 hours), reducing costs when not in use. Option C is correct because it directly addresses the requirement to pause after 2 hours of inactivity.
Key principle: Dedicated SQL Pool
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Maintenance window
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance window is used for scheduling updates, not for pausing the pool based on inactivity.
- ✗
Data Exfiltration Prevention
Why it's wrong here
Data Exfiltration Prevention is a security feature to prevent unauthorized data transfer, not related to pausing.
- ✓
Auto-pause feature
Why this is correct
Auto-pause feature is available only for serverless SQL pools, not for dedicated SQL pools.
Related concept
Dedicated SQL Pool
- ✗
Workload Management
Why it's wrong here
Workload Management is used for managing concurrency and resource allocation, not for automatic pausing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Dedicated SQL Pool
- Auto-pause
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
Dedicated SQL Pool
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review dedicated SQL Pool, then practise related DP-203 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-203 question test?
Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — This question tests Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — Dedicated SQL Pool.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Auto-pause feature — The Auto-pause feature in Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pools automatically suspends the pool after a period of inactivity (default 1 hour, configurable up to 8 hours), reducing costs when not in use. Option C is correct because it directly addresses the requirement to pause after 2 hours of inactivity.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Review dedicated SQL Pool, then practise related DP-203 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Dedicated SQL Pool
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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