Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Maximum Readable Replicas in Azure SQL Database Business Critical Tier
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
{
"properties": {
"readScale": "Enabled",
"zoneRedundant": false,
"highAvailabilityReplicaCount": 4,
"requestedServiceObjectiveName": "BC_Gen5_8"
}
}
```You are examining the configuration of an Azure SQL Database in the Business Critical tier. The exhibit shows the database properties. What is the maximum number of readable replicas available for read-only queries?
Quick Answer
The answer is 4. In the Azure SQL Database Business Critical tier, the maximum number of readable replicas available for read-only queries is 4, because the highAvailabilityReplicaCount property specifies the number of replicas excluding the primary, and all of these replicas can serve read traffic when the readScale setting is enabled. This concept is frequently tested on the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, often by presenting a database properties exhibit and asking you to interpret the replica count correctly—the common trap is counting the primary as a readable replica, which would incorrectly give you 5. Remember that the primary replica is reserved for write operations, so the maximum readable replicas are always the value of highAvailabilityReplicaCount, which tops out at 4 for Business Critical. A simple memory tip: think of the four readable replicas as your four “readers” in the business critical room, with the primary standing apart as the sole “writer.”
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
✓
3
In the Business Critical tier of Azure SQL Database, there is a fixed set of four replicas: one primary and three secondary replicas. All secondary replicas are readable and can serve read-only queries. Therefore, the maximum number of readable replicas available for read-only queries is 3. Option C (4) is incorrect because it would include the primary replica, which is not typically used for read-only queries unless read-scale is enabled, but even then the maximum readable replicas (including primary) is 4, but the question asks specifically for 'readable replicas available for read-only queries', which are the secondaries. The highAvailabilityReplicaCount property shown in the exhibit is not configurable for the Business Critical tier; it is only applicable to the Hyperscale tier. In Business Critical, the replica count is fixed at 4 total, with 3 readable secondaries.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
1
Why it's wrong here
1 is incorrect because the Business Critical tier provides three readable secondary replicas, not one.
- ✓
3
Why this is correct
3 is correct. The Business Critical tier always has three readable secondary replicas that can serve read-only queries.
- ✗
4
Why it's wrong here
4 is incorrect because it would include the primary replica; the maximum number of replicas dedicated to read-only queries is 3.
- ✗
5
Why it's wrong here
5 is incorrect because the Business Critical tier has a fixed set of four replicas, with only three readable secondaries.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on DP-300
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. Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing the JSON configuration of an Azure SQL Database in the Business Critical tier. What is the primary benefit of setting highAvailabilityReplicaCount to 2?
medium- A.It enables automatic failover in case of a node failure.
- B.It enables zone redundancy for the database.
- C.It ensures zero data loss during a failover.
- ✓ D.It provides more read-only replicas to offload read workloads.
Why D: Setting highAvailabilityReplicaCount to 2 in Business Critical tier creates two additional readable replicas (total of 3 replicas including primary). This improves read performance by allowing more read-only connections to be offloaded to replicas. Option A (automatic failover) is inherent to Business Critical, not dependent on replica count. Option B (zone redundancy) is determined by the zoneRedundant property, not replica count. Option C (zero data loss) is achieved by synchronous replication, not replica count.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.