The answer is to store the logs in Azure Blob Storage with the cool access tier. This is correct because the cool tier is specifically designed as a storage tier for infrequently accessed data, offering lower storage costs than hot or premium tiers while maintaining high durability and low latency for the rare queries you perform—perfect for semi-structured JSON logs retained for seven years. On the DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of access tier optimization versus database solutions; a common trap is choosing Azure SQL or Cosmos DB for queryability, but those incur high compute and transaction costs for logs queried only once a month. Remember the key trade-off: hot tier for frequent access, cool for infrequent, and archive for rarely accessed data—here, monthly queries disqualify archive’s retrieval delays. Memory tip: “Cool for compliance, hot for high traffic, archive for ancient archives.”
DP-203 Design and implement data storage Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data storage. 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.
A data engineer needs to store semi-structured JSON log files from a web application. Each log entry is about 1 KB. The logs are rarely queried (once a month) and must be retained for 7 years for compliance. The solution must minimize storage cost. Which storage option should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Store the logs in Azure Blob Storage with cool access tier.
Azure Blob Storage with the cool access tier is the correct choice because it is optimized for storing large amounts of semi-structured data (like JSON logs) at low cost, with infrequent access (once a month) and long retention (7 years). The cool tier offers lower storage costs than hot or premium tiers, while still providing high durability and the ability to query logs using tools like Azure Data Lake Storage or serverless SQL. This meets the compliance requirement without the high compute or transaction costs of a database solution.
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.
✗
Store the logs in Azure SQL Database as a table.
Why it's wrong here
SQL Database is expensive for large volumes of rarely queried data.
✗
Store the logs in Azure Files share.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Files is more expensive and designed for file shares, not log archiving.
✓
Store the logs in Azure Blob Storage with cool access tier.
Why this is correct
Blob Storage cool tier is low-cost for infrequent access, suitable for logs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Store the logs in Azure Cosmos DB with a JSON container.
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB is expensive for infrequent access and large retention.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Azure Cosmos DB (D) because it natively supports JSON, but they overlook the extreme cost of storing and rarely querying 7 years of data in a globally distributed, high-throughput NoSQL database, which is optimized for frequent, low-latency access, not archival.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Blob Storage's cool access tier is designed for data that is accessed less than once per month, with lower storage costs but higher access costs (per GB read) compared to the hot tier. For compliance scenarios, lifecycle management policies can automatically transition blobs from cool to archive tier after a set period (e.g., 90 days) to further reduce costs, while still allowing manual rehydration for rare queries. The JSON logs can be stored as block blobs, and tools like Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 (built on blob storage) enable querying via PolyBase or serverless SQL without moving data.
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
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
Design and implement data storage — This question tests Design and implement data storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Store the logs in Azure Blob Storage with cool access tier. — Azure Blob Storage with the cool access tier is the correct choice because it is optimized for storing large amounts of semi-structured data (like JSON logs) at low cost, with infrequent access (once a month) and long retention (7 years). The cool tier offers lower storage costs than hot or premium tiers, while still providing high durability and the ability to query logs using tools like Azure Data Lake Storage or serverless SQL. This meets the compliance requirement without the high compute or transaction costs of a database solution.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Variation 1. You need to store historical sales data for 10 years with infrequent queries. The storage cost must be minimized while retaining the ability to query using Azure Synapse serverless SQL pool. Which storage tier should you use?
easy
A.Azure Storage Archive tier.
B.Azure Storage Premium tier.
C.Azure Storage Hot tier.
✓ D.Azure Storage Cool tier.
Why D: The Cool tier is the correct choice because it provides low-cost storage for data that is infrequently accessed (e.g., historical sales data spanning 10 years) while still supporting immediate read access via Azure Synapse serverless SQL pool. Unlike the Archive tier, Cool tier data is online and can be queried without the need for time-consuming rehydration, making it suitable for infrequent but on-demand analytical queries.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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