- A
Migrate to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines and keep all existing functionality unchanged.
Why wrong: Incorrect: While possible, this requires managing VMs and patching, increasing overhead.
- B
Migrate to Azure SQL Managed Instance and use Azure Data Factory to run SSIS packages with an Azure-SSIS integration runtime.
Correct: Managed Instance supports SQL Server Agent, cross-database queries, and SSIS via Azure Data Factory.
- C
Migrate to Azure Database for PostgreSQL and rewrite all SQL Agent jobs as pg_cron tasks.
Why wrong: Incorrect: This requires significant code changes and is a different database platform.
- D
Migrate to Azure SQL Database and use elastic jobs to replace SQL Server Agent.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Azure SQL Database does not support cross-database queries natively and has limited agent capabilities.
Quick Answer
The answer is to migrate to Azure SQL Managed Instance and use Azure Data Factory with an Azure-SSIS integration runtime to run SSIS packages. This approach minimizes code changes because Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near-100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, preserving SQL Server Agent jobs and cross-database queries without modification. For SSIS packages, the Azure-SSIS integration runtime provides a lift-and-shift capability, allowing you to deploy existing packages directly into the cloud without rewriting them. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of workload-specific migration paths—a common trap is choosing Azure SQL Database, which lacks Agent and cross-database support, forcing costly rewrites. Remember the key: Managed Instance for Agent jobs, Azure-SSIS IR for SSIS packages. A useful memory tip is “MI for jobs, IR for SSIS”—keeping the two services distinct in your mind.
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 planning a migration of on-premises SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instance. The source databases use SQL Server Agent jobs, cross-database queries, and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages. Which migration approach minimizes the need to modify existing code or processes?
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
Migrate to Azure SQL Managed Instance and use Azure Data Factory to run SSIS packages with an Azure-SSIS integration runtime.
Azure SQL Managed Instance provides near-100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including SQL Server Agent and cross-database queries. For SSIS packages, the Azure-SSIS integration runtime in Azure Data Factory allows you to lift-and-shift existing SSIS packages without rewriting them, minimizing code changes.
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.
- ✗
Migrate to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines and keep all existing functionality unchanged.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: While possible, this requires managing VMs and patching, increasing overhead.
- ✓
Migrate to Azure SQL Managed Instance and use Azure Data Factory to run SSIS packages with an Azure-SSIS integration runtime.
Why this is correct
Correct: Managed Instance supports SQL Server Agent, cross-database queries, and SSIS via Azure Data Factory.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Migrate to Azure Database for PostgreSQL and rewrite all SQL Agent jobs as pg_cron tasks.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This requires significant code changes and is a different database platform.
- ✗
Migrate to Azure SQL Database and use elastic jobs to replace SQL Server Agent.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Azure SQL Database does not support cross-database queries natively and has limited agent capabilities.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume Azure SQL Database can replace SQL Server Agent with elastic jobs, but elastic jobs lack many Agent features (e.g., job schedules, operators, alerts) and do not support SSIS packages or cross-database queries, making Managed Instance the correct choice for minimal code changes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SQL Managed Instance uses the same database engine as on-premises SQL Server, including the msdb database that stores SQL Agent jobs and SSIS catalog (SSISDB). The Azure-SSIS IR runs a dedicated cluster of Azure VMs that host the SSIS engine, allowing you to deploy and execute existing SSIS packages with minimal changes, while the Managed Instance handles Agent jobs and cross-database queries natively via linked server-like functionality within the same instance.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-300 question test?
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: Migrate to Azure SQL Managed Instance and use Azure Data Factory to run SSIS packages with an Azure-SSIS integration runtime. — Azure SQL Managed Instance provides near-100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including SQL Server Agent and cross-database queries. For SSIS packages, the Azure-SSIS integration runtime in Azure Data Factory allows you to lift-and-shift existing SSIS packages without rewriting them, minimizing code changes.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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