The correct answer is to create a metric alert on the 'Transactions' metric with a threshold of 20,000 and an aggregation granularity of 1 hour. This is the most efficient approach because the Transactions metric is natively emitted by Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 at the storage account level, allowing you to set a simple threshold-based alert without the overhead of querying logs. On the DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between Azure Monitor metric alerts, which are low-latency and cost-effective for real-time performance thresholds, versus Log Analytics queries, which are better suited for complex patterns or historical analysis. A common trap is choosing a Log Analytics query for a straightforward count, but that introduces unnecessary complexity and cost. Remember the memory tip: "Metrics for thresholds, logs for patterns" — when you need to monitor azure data lake storage gen2 with alerts for a simple numeric limit like requests per hour, always reach for a metric alert first.
DP-203 Practice Question: Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing
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 Lake Storage Gen2 account using Azure Monitor. You need to be alerted when the number of storage account requests exceeds 20,000 per hour. What is the most efficient way to set up this alert?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a metric alert on the 'Transactions' metric with a threshold of 20,000 and aggregation granularity of 1 hour.
Option B is correct because the metric 'Transactions' is available at the storage account level and can be aggregated per hour. Option A is wrong because a Log Analytics query would be more complex and less efficient. Option C is wrong because Activity Log does not contain transaction counts. Option D is wrong because Azure Advisor does not provide custom alerting on metrics.
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.
✗
Create a Log Analytics workspace and write a KQL query to count requests.
Why it's wrong here
This is possible but less efficient than metric alert.
✗
Create an Activity Log alert for 'List Storage Account Keys' events.
Why it's wrong here
Activity Log does not track every request.
✓
Create a metric alert on the 'Transactions' metric with a threshold of 20,000 and aggregation granularity of 1 hour.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Azure Advisor to recommend scaling.
Why it's wrong here
Advisor does not create alerts on request counts.
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
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
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.
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a metric alert on the 'Transactions' metric with a threshold of 20,000 and aggregation granularity of 1 hour. — Option B is correct because the metric 'Transactions' is available at the storage account level and can be aggregated per hour. Option A is wrong because a Log Analytics query would be more complex and less efficient. Option C is wrong because Activity Log does not contain transaction counts. Option D is wrong because Azure Advisor does not provide custom alerting on metrics.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
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.
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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