DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
A company plans to deploy a new application on Azure VMs that requires a highly available SQL Server database with automatic failover and readable secondaries. The database size is 1 TB. Which deployment option meets these requirements with the least administrative overhead?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers choose SQL Server on Azure VMs (Option B) thinking they need full control for high availability, but they overlook the 'least administrative overhead' requirement, which favors a fully managed PaaS offering like Azure SQL Managed Instance Business Critical.
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
✓
Azure SQL Managed Instance in the Business Critical tier.
Azure SQL Managed Instance in the Business Critical tier provides built-in high availability with automatic failover and readable secondaries via Always On Availability Groups, while requiring minimal administrative overhead. The 1 TB database size is supported in the Business Critical tier (up to 4 TB), and the managed platform handles patching, backups, and failover orchestration automatically, unlike IaaS-based solutions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database in the General Purpose tier.
Why it's wrong here
General Purpose does not offer readable secondaries; failover is automatic but no read-scale.
- ✗
SQL Server on Azure VMs with Always On Availability Groups.
Why it's wrong here
Requires manual setup and maintenance of VMs, load balancers, and AGs.
- ✓
Azure SQL Managed Instance in the Business Critical tier.
Why this is correct
Built-in high availability with automatic failover and readable secondaries; minimal admin overhead.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database in the Hyperscale tier.
Why it's wrong here
Hyperscale provides high availability but readable secondaries are not available in all regions and require additional configuration.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance is a fully managed cloud database service that gives you nearly all the features of Microsoft SQL Server on your own server, without you having to manage the hardware or operating system.
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