- A
Query Store
Monitors query performance.
- B
Data masking
Why wrong: Security feature.
- C
Long-term retention policy
Why wrong: Backup retention.
- D
Automatic tuning (CREATE INDEX)
Why wrong: Index management, not a database property.
- E
Read scale-out
Offloads read workloads.
Question 867 of 963
DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. 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.
Which TWO database properties can be configured to optimize performance for a read-heavy workload in Azure SQL Database?
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
✓
Query Store
For a read-heavy workload in Azure SQL Database, enabling Query Store (option A) helps monitor query performance, identify regressions, and optimize query plans. Read scale-out (option E) offloads read-only queries to a readable secondary replica, reducing load on the primary and improving performance. Options B (Data masking) is a security feature, C (Long-term retention policy) is for backup retention, and D (Automatic tuning - CREATE INDEX) creates indexes but is not specifically for read-heavy workloads; it can help but is not a primary property for read offload.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Query Store
Why this is correct
Monitors query performance.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Data masking
Why it's wrong here
Security feature.
- ✗
Long-term retention policy
Why it's wrong here
Backup retention.
- ✗
Automatic tuning (CREATE INDEX)
Why it's wrong here
Index management, not a database property.
- ✓
Read scale-out
Why this is correct
Offloads read workloads.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DP-300 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-300 question test?
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Query Store — For a read-heavy workload in Azure SQL Database, enabling Query Store (option A) helps monitor query performance, identify regressions, and optimize query plans. Read scale-out (option E) offloads read-only queries to a readable secondary replica, reducing load on the primary and improving performance. Options B (Data masking) is a security feature, C (Long-term retention policy) is for backup retention, and D (Automatic tuning - CREATE INDEX) creates indexes but is not specifically for read-heavy workloads; it can help but is not a primary property for read offload.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DP-300 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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