DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
Which THREE factors should you consider when choosing between Azure SQL Database single database and Azure SQL Managed Instance for a new application?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates assume automated backups with point-in-time restore are exclusive to one service, but both Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance provide this feature, making it a distractor that tests your knowledge of shared vs. differentiated capabilities.
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
✓
Need for cross-database queries and transactions.
Azure SQL Database single database does not support cross-database queries and transactions, whereas Azure SQL Managed Instance provides full SQL Server instance-level features, including cross-database queries and transactions via linked servers or within the same instance. This makes Managed Instance the appropriate choice when the application requires querying or updating multiple databases in a single transaction.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Requirement for elastic pool scalability.
Why it's wrong here
Both support elastic pools (single database) or instance pools (Managed Instance).
- ✓
Need for cross-database queries and transactions.
Why this is correct
Managed Instance supports cross-database queries; single database does not.
- ✗
Need for automated backups with point-in-time restore.
Why it's wrong here
Both support this.
- ✓
Requirement for SQL Server Agent with job scheduling.
Why this is correct
Managed Instance has SQL Agent; single database uses elastic jobs.
- ✓
Need for a fixed virtual network with private IP addresses.
Why this is correct
Managed Instance is placed in a VNet; single database uses server-level firewall.
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.
Key term
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance is a fully managed cloud database service that gives you nearly all the features of Microsoft SQL Server on your own server, without you having to manage the hardware or operating system.
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