The answer is to use geo-restore from geo-redundant backups. This is correct because Azure SQL Database in the Standard tier automatically enables geo-redundant backup storage (RA-GRS), which replicates backups to a paired region at no extra cost. Geo-restore leverages these backups to recover the database to any Azure region, typically within 12 hours, making it the most cost-effective option for a non-critical application. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of built-in disaster recovery features versus paid options; a common trap is assuming active geo-replication or failover groups are available for Standard tier, but they require Premium or Business Critical. Remember the key constraint: Standard tier only supports geo-restore, not active replication. Memory tip: “Standard saves with geo-restore—no replication, just backup migration.”
DP-300 Practice Question: Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment. 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 planning a disaster recovery strategy for an Azure SQL Database that is used by a non-critical application. The database is in the Standard tier. You need to minimize cost while ensuring the database can be restored to a different region within 12 hours of a regional disaster. What should you use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use geo-restore from geo-redundant backups.
Option B is correct because geo-redundant backup storage (RA-GRS) is automatically enabled for databases in the Standard tier, allowing geo-restore to any region within 12 hours. Option A is wrong because active geo-replication is not available in Standard tier. Option C is wrong because failover groups require Premium or Business Critical. Option D is wrong because cross-region replication is a setting for backup storage, not a separate feature.
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.
✗
Enable cross-region replication on the database.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replication is not a feature; geo-redundant backup storage is automatically configured.
✓
Use geo-restore from geo-redundant backups.
Why this is correct
Geo-restore is available for Standard tier and meets the 12-hour requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure active geo-replication to a secondary region.
Why it's wrong here
Active geo-replication is not available in Standard tier.
✗
Create a failover group with the secondary in a paired region.
Why it's wrong here
Failover groups require Premium or Business Critical tier.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Identify which DP-300 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.
Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — This question tests Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use geo-restore from geo-redundant backups. — Option B is correct because geo-redundant backup storage (RA-GRS) is automatically enabled for databases in the Standard tier, allowing geo-restore to any region within 12 hours. Option A is wrong because active geo-replication is not available in Standard tier. Option C is wrong because failover groups require Premium or Business Critical. Option D is wrong because cross-region replication is a setting for backup storage, not a separate feature.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which DP-300 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 have an Azure SQL Database that uses the General Purpose service tier. The database is critical and you need to protect against a regional outage with an RPO of 1 hour and an RTO of 12 hours. What is the most cost-effective solution?
easy
✓ A.Use geo-restore with the default backup retention.
B.Enable active geo-replication.
C.Configure auto-failover group with a secondary in a different region.
D.Deploy a zone-redundant configuration.
Why A: Option C is correct because geo-restore meets an RPO of 1 hour and RTO of 12 hours at no extra cost beyond backup storage. Option A is wrong because it is more expensive than needed. Option B is wrong because it also incurs extra cost. Option D is wrong because it does not protect against regional failure.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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This DP-300 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-300 exam.
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