DP-203 Design and implement data storage Practice Question
Which TWO factors should you consider when choosing between Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance for migrating a legacy application? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume VNet integration (Option E) is exclusive to Managed Instance, but Azure SQL Database also supports VNet integration via private endpoints, making it a non-differentiating factor for this migration decision.
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
✓
Need for SQL Server Agent jobs
Option C (Need for SQL Server Agent jobs) is correct because SQL Server Agent is fully supported in Azure SQL Managed Instance, whereas Azure SQL Database does not include SQL Server Agent and instead requires alternatives such as Elastic Database Jobs or Azure Automation for scheduled task execution. Option D (Requirement for cross-database queries) is correct because Azure SQL Managed Instance supports three-part and cross-database queries within the same instance, while Azure SQL Database generally restricts cross-database queries unless you use elastic query features, making this a key differentiator for legacy applications. Option A is not a deciding factor because active geo-replication is available in both Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance. Option B is not a deciding factor because Microsoft Entra ID authentication is supported by both services. Option E is not a deciding factor because both Azure SQL Database (via Private Link or VNet service endpoints) and Azure SQL Managed Instance can integrate with an Azure VNet, though the mechanisms differ.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Support for active geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
Active geo-replication is supported by both Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance, so it fails to distinguish them. It is tempting because disaster recovery is a legitimate migration consideration, but the real discriminator is instance-scoped compatibility, such as SQL Agent jobs and cross-database transactions.
- ✗
Authentication using Microsoft Entra ID
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Entra ID authentication is available on both Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance, so it does not separate the two services. It is tempting because identity integration is a common migration concern, but the actual deciding factor is whether the legacy workload needs instance-level SQL Server surface area.
- ✓
Need for SQL Server Agent jobs
Why this is correct
SQL Server Agent is available in Azure SQL Managed Instance but not in Azure SQL Database, so scheduled job requirements force the managed instance choice. This directly satisfies the stem's migration constraint: a legacy application depending on Agent jobs cannot run on Azure SQL Database without rewriting that scheduling layer.
- ✓
Requirement for cross-database queries
Why this is correct
Cross-database queries spanning multiple user databases work natively in SQL Managed Instance, mirroring on-premises SQL Server. Azure SQL Database restricts these to elastic query, so a legacy application relying on three-part naming needs Managed Instance.
- ✗
Integration with Azure VNet
Why it's wrong here
Both Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance support VNet integration, so it cannot discriminate between them. It is tempting because network isolation matters for legacy migrations, but the genuine differentiator is instance-scoped features such as SQL Agent, cross-database queries and service broker.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.