Quick Answer
The answer is the Backlogged input events metric and the InputEvents/OutputEvents comparison. These two Azure Monitor metrics are essential for detecting data loss or processing delays in an Azure Data Factory streaming pipeline because they directly measure throughput and accumulation. The Backlogged input events metric reveals when data is piling up faster than it can be processed, indicating a bottleneck or delay, while comparing InputEvents to OutputEvents confirms whether every incoming event is successfully written to the sink, such as Azure Synapse Analytics. On the DP-203 exam, this tests your ability to distinguish streaming-specific metrics from batch or copy activity metrics—a common trap is confusing Data read/Data written (which apply only to copy activities) or Duration (not a streaming metric). To remember, think of a kitchen sink: if water (events) backs up, you have a backlog; if water in doesn’t equal water out, you’re losing data.
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing. 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.
You are monitoring an Azure Data Factory pipeline that processes streaming data from Event Hubs to Azure Synapse Analytics. Which TWO Azure Monitor metrics should you set alerts on to detect data loss or processing delays?
InputEvents and OutputEvents metrics
Comparing input and output events helps detect data loss.
Duration metric
Why wrong: Duration is not a streaming-specific metric.
Data read and data written metrics
Why wrong: These are for copy activities, not streaming jobs.
Pipeline run count metric
Why wrong: Run count is for batch pipelines, not streaming jobs.
Backlogged input events metric
A growing backlog indicates processing delays.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
InputEvents and OutputEvents metrics
Option B is correct because 'InputEvents' and 'OutputEvents' allow you to compare if all events are being processed. Option C is correct because 'Backlogged input events' indicates data is accumulating and not being processed quickly enough. Option A is wrong because 'Data read' and 'Data written' are for copy activities, not streaming. Option D is wrong because 'Duration' is not a streaming metric. Option E is wrong because 'Pipeline run count' is for batch pipelines.
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.
InputEvents and OutputEvents metrics
Why this is correct
Comparing input and output events helps detect data loss.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Duration metric
Why it's wrong here
Duration is not a streaming-specific metric.
Data read and data written metrics
Why it's wrong here
These are for copy activities, not streaming jobs.
Pipeline run count metric
Why it's wrong here
Run count is for batch pipelines, not streaming jobs.
Backlogged input events metric
Why this is correct
A growing backlog indicates processing delays.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which DP-203 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — This question tests Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: InputEvents and OutputEvents metrics — Option B is correct because 'InputEvents' and 'OutputEvents' allow you to compare if all events are being processed. Option C is correct because 'Backlogged input events' indicates data is accumulating and not being processed quickly enough. Option A is wrong because 'Data read' and 'Data written' are for copy activities, not streaming. Option D is wrong because 'Duration' is not a streaming metric. Option E is wrong because 'Pipeline run count' is for batch pipelines.
Identify which DP-203 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This DP-203 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 DP-203 exam.
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