The answer is Azure Data Box, which physically transfers the 5 TB database via a secure storage device to bypass the 100 Mbps network bottleneck. At 100 Mbps, a full 5 TB transfer would take roughly 5.5 days of continuous upload, while Data Box completes the job in a few days including shipping, making it the fastest option when migrating a large database to Azure SQL Managed Instance with limited bandwidth. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of offline data migration strategies for large-scale, bandwidth-constrained environments—a common trap is choosing Azure Data Factory or log shipping, which still rely on the slow network. Remember the key principle: when bandwidth is the bottleneck and the dataset is massive, think physical shipping. A simple memory tip is “Big data, slow pipe? Ship the box.”
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.
You are migrating a large on-premises SQL Server database (5 TB) to Azure SQL Managed Instance. The network bandwidth between your on-premises data center and Azure is limited to 100 Mbps. You need to minimize the migration time. Which approach 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 Azure Data Box to physically transfer the data.
Azure Data Box is the correct approach because it physically transfers the 5 TB database via a secure storage device, bypassing the 100 Mbps network bottleneck. At 100 Mbps, a 5 TB transfer would take approximately 5.5 days continuously, while Data Box can complete the transfer in a few days including shipping, making it the fastest option for such a large dataset over a limited bandwidth link.
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.
✓
Use Azure Data Box to physically transfer the data.
Why this is correct
Data Box bypasses network limitations.
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.
✗
Use transaction log shipping to continuously sync changes.
Why it's wrong here
Log shipping requires stable network and is slow.
✗
Export as BACPAC and upload to Azure Blob Storage, then import.
Why it's wrong here
BACPAC export/import is slow over limited bandwidth.
✗
Use Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) online migration.
Why it's wrong here
Limited bandwidth makes online migration slow.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often overestimate the speed of online migration services like DMS or BACPAC, failing to calculate that at 100 Mbps, a 5 TB transfer takes over 5 days, making physical shipping via Data Box the faster choice despite the initial impression that 'online' is always quicker.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Data Box uses AES-256 encryption for data at rest and a 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps local network interface for data copy, but the key advantage is that it completely avoids internet-based transfer. For large databases over 1 TB with limited bandwidth, Data Box can be faster than any online method because the physical shipping time (typically 2-3 days) is often less than the network transfer time. The Data Box device supports up to 80 TB of usable capacity, making it suitable for this 5 TB workload.
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: Use Azure Data Box to physically transfer the data. — Azure Data Box is the correct approach because it physically transfers the 5 TB database via a secure storage device, bypassing the 100 Mbps network bottleneck. At 100 Mbps, a 5 TB transfer would take approximately 5.5 days continuously, while Data Box can complete the transfer in a few days including shipping, making it the fastest option for such a large dataset over a limited bandwidth link.
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.
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.
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Question Discussion
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