The answer is that SQL Server Agent jobs using PowerShell, along with FILESTREAM and FileTables, are three critical considerations when migrating SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance. FILESTREAM and FileTables are unsupported because Azure SQL Managed Instance lacks the underlying NTFS file system required for storing BLOB data, meaning any migration relying on these features must be refactored to use alternatives like Azure Blob Storage with remote BLOB store. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of feature parity gaps between on-premises SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance, often appearing as a trap where unsupported features like Service Broker or cross-database queries are listed as valid options. A common memory tip is to remember that managed instance is “almost fully compatible” but drops file-system-level features—think “FILESTREAM fails, PowerShell persists.”
DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. 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 THREE considerations are important when planning a migration from SQL Server on-premises to Azure SQL Managed Instance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
File tables and FILESTREAM.
Option A is correct because Azure SQL Managed Instance does not support FILESTREAM or FileTables. These features rely on the NTFS file system for storing BLOB data, which is not available in the managed instance environment. Any migration using FILESTREAM or FileTables must be refactored to use alternative storage, such as Azure Blob Storage with the remote BLOB store (RBS) or separate file storage.
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.
✓
File tables and FILESTREAM.
Why this is correct
File tables are not supported in SQL Managed Instance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Cross-database queries using three-part names.
Why this is correct
Cross-database queries have limitations in SQL Managed Instance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages.
Why it's wrong here
SSIS can be migrated with some planning.
✗
Use of contained databases.
Why it's wrong here
Contained databases are supported.
✓
SQL Server Agent jobs that use PowerShell.
Why this is correct
PowerShell jobs may need adjustment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume SSIS packages are unsupported in Azure SQL Managed Instance, but they are actually supported via Azure Data Factory, while the real blockers are the less obvious features like FILESTREAM, cross-database three-part names, and PowerShell-based SQL Agent jobs that rely on on-premises Windows authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
FILESTREAM integrates the SQL Server Database Engine with an NTFS file system to store unstructured data, but Azure SQL Managed Instance abstracts the underlying storage layer, making direct file system access impossible. Cross-database queries using three-part names (e.g., `Server.Database.Schema.Table`) fail because SQL Managed Instance does not support linked servers by default; instead, you must use elastic queries or external data sources. SQL Agent jobs using PowerShell are supported but require careful configuration of the SQL Agent subsystem and may need adjustments for Azure-specific authentication, such as using managed identities instead of Windows credentials.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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-300 question in full detail.
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: File tables and FILESTREAM. — Option A is correct because Azure SQL Managed Instance does not support FILESTREAM or FileTables. These features rely on the NTFS file system for storing BLOB data, which is not available in the managed instance environment. Any migration using FILESTREAM or FileTables must be refactored to use alternative storage, such as Azure Blob Storage with the remote BLOB store (RBS) or separate file storage.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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