Quick Answer
The answer is Azure SQL Database long-term retention (LTR) backup policy and Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs. These two services are correct because both allow you to configure automated backups with retention periods extending well beyond the default 7–35 days, up to a maximum of 10 years. Azure SQL Database’s built-in LTR policy uses weekly, monthly, or yearly full backups stored in separate blobs, while Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs provides long-term retention through Recovery Services vaults, supporting up to 10 years of point-in-time restore. On the DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of native long-term retention capabilities versus other backup options like geo-redundant storage or automated export, which do not offer configurable multi-year retention. A common trap is confusing Azure Backup for Azure SQL Database (which only supports short-term retention) with Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs. Remember the memory tip: “LTR for DB, Backup for VM” — if it’s a managed Azure SQL Database, use its LTR policy; if it’s SQL Server on a VM, use Azure Backup.
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage automation of tasks. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 tasked with automating the backups of multiple Azure SQL Databases to ensure long-term retention. Which TWO Azure services can be used to achieve automated backups with retention beyond the default 7-35 days?
Azure Site Recovery
Why wrong: Disaster recovery, not backup retention.
Azure Blob Storage snapshots
Why wrong: Not a built-in SQL backup solution.
Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
Supports long-term retention for SQL Server on VMs.
Azure Storage lifecycle management
Why wrong: Manages blob storage, not SQL backups directly.
Azure SQL Database long-term retention (LTR) backup policy
Built-in feature for Azure SQL Database.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
Options A and B are correct because Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs supports long-term retention (LTR) up to 10 years, and Azure SQL Database's built-in long-term retention (LTR) policy can be configured for up to 10 years. Options C, D, and E do not provide long-term backup retention for SQL databases.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Site Recovery
Why it's wrong here
Disaster recovery, not backup retention.
Azure Blob Storage snapshots
Why it's wrong here
Not a built-in SQL backup solution.
Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
Why this is correct
Supports long-term retention for SQL Server on VMs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Storage lifecycle management
Why it's wrong here
Manages blob storage, not SQL backups directly.
Azure SQL Database long-term retention (LTR) backup policy
Why this is correct
Built-in feature for Azure SQL Database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Configure and manage automation of tasks — This question tests Configure and manage automation of tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs — Options A and B are correct because Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs supports long-term retention (LTR) up to 10 years, and Azure SQL Database's built-in long-term retention (LTR) policy can be configured for up to 10 years. Options C, D, and E do not provide long-term backup retention for SQL databases.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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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