The answer is enabling automatic tuning with 'CREATE INDEX' and 'DROP INDEX' options, along with Elastic Database Jobs. These are the two native options to automate index maintenance in Azure SQL Database because automatic tuning uses built-in intelligence to continuously analyze query performance and automatically create or drop indexes as needed, while Elastic Database Jobs allow you to schedule and run custom T-SQL scripts for index maintenance across multiple databases. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of what is natively available versus what requires external tools—a common trap is assuming SQL Agent works in Azure SQL Database, but it is only available on SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance. Remember that Azure SQL Database lacks SQL Agent, so for automation you rely on automatic tuning for index management and Elastic Jobs for custom scripts. A helpful memory tip: think "auto-tune for auto-index, Elastic Jobs for manual scripts."
DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage automation of tasks. 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.
Which TWO of the following are native options to automate index maintenance on Azure SQL Database? (Select exactly two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create Elastic Database Jobs that run index maintenance T-SQL scripts.
Options A and D are correct. Automatic tuning can automatically create/drop indexes. Elastic Database Jobs can run custom index maintenance scripts. Option B is wrong because SQL Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database. Option C is wrong because Automation Runbooks are for PowerShell, not T-SQL directly. Option E is wrong because Data Factory is for data movement.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 Elastic Database Jobs that run index maintenance T-SQL scripts.
Why this is correct
Elastic Jobs can automate T-SQL index maintenance across databases.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use Azure Automation PowerShell runbooks to invoke index rebuilds.
Why it's wrong here
PowerShell runbooks are not native to SQL and require intermediate scripting.
✓
Enable automatic tuning with 'CREATE INDEX' and 'DROP INDEX' options.
Why this is correct
Automatic tuning automates index management based on workload.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Schedule SQL Agent jobs with ALTER INDEX statements.
Why it's wrong here
SQL Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database.
✗
Use Azure Data Factory to copy data and rebuild indexes.
Why it's wrong here
Data Factory is not designed for index maintenance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-300 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Configure and manage automation of tasks — This question tests Configure and manage automation of tasks — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create Elastic Database Jobs that run index maintenance T-SQL scripts. — Options A and D are correct. Automatic tuning can automatically create/drop indexes. Elastic Database Jobs can run custom index maintenance scripts. Option B is wrong because SQL Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database. Option C is wrong because Automation Runbooks are for PowerShell, not T-SQL directly. Option E is wrong because Data Factory is for data movement.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-300 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are configuring automated performance tuning for an Azure SQL Database. You want to automatically create missing indexes and drop unused indexes, but you need to prevent automatic index creation during peak business hours (9 AM - 5 PM). What is the best approach?
hard
A.Enable automatic indexing in Azure SQL Database and rely on the system to decide when to create indexes.
✓ B.Enable automatic tuning but set the 'INDEX_CREATE' option to 'OFF' and use a schedule to run a script that enables it during off-peak hours and disables during peak hours.
C.Use SQL Server Agent to schedule index creation scripts that check for missing indexes.
D.Use Azure Automation to run index analysis scripts only during off-peak hours.
Why B: Option D is correct because Azure SQL Database's automatic tuning can be enabled but with a schedule that restricts index creation to off-peak hours using the 'SET AUTOMATIC_TUNING' command with a schedule. Options A and B do not provide scheduling. Option C is not available.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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