The answer is to add a diagnostic setting for the Azure SQL Database that streams 'AllMetrics' to a Log Analytics workspace. This is correct because diagnostic settings are the native, cost-effective mechanism in Azure for routing platform metrics—such as CPU percentage, data IO, and log IO—directly to Log Analytics for long-term analysis and querying, without requiring additional paid services. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of monitoring configurations versus alternative tools: a common trap is confusing Query Store or DMVs (which are for performance troubleshooting, not streaming) with diagnostic settings, or assuming SQL Insights (a paid solution) is necessary. Remember the memory tip: "Diagnostics stream, Query Store dreams"—diagnostic settings handle metric streaming, while Query Store only stores query plans locally.
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.
You are a database administrator for a company that uses Azure SQL Database. You need to configure a diagnostic setting to send database metrics to a Log Analytics workspace for long-term analysis. The solution should be cost-effective and include metrics like CPU percentage, data IO, and log IO. What should you do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
In the Azure portal, add a diagnostic setting for the database to stream 'AllMetrics' to a Log Analytics workspace.
Option C is correct because diagnostic settings can stream metrics to Log Analytics. Option A is wrong because Query Store does not send metrics to Log Analytics. Option B is wrong because DMVs do not stream automatically. Option D is wrong because SQL Insights is a paid solution.
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.
✗
Enable Azure SQL Insights (preview) for the database.
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Insights is a paid monitoring solution that includes additional costs.
✗
Enable Query Store and configure it to export to Log Analytics.
Why it's wrong here
Query Store does not export to Log Analytics directly.
✓
In the Azure portal, add a diagnostic setting for the database to stream 'AllMetrics' to a Log Analytics workspace.
Why this is correct
Diagnostic settings can stream metrics to Log Analytics for cost-effective long-term analysis.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a T-SQL job that periodically inserts sys.dm_db_resource_stats into a table in Log Analytics.
Why it's wrong here
This is complex and not recommended; Log Analytics has direct ingestion.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Identify which DP-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: In the Azure portal, add a diagnostic setting for the database to stream 'AllMetrics' to a Log Analytics workspace. — Option C is correct because diagnostic settings can stream metrics to Log Analytics. Option A is wrong because Query Store does not send metrics to Log Analytics. Option B is wrong because DMVs do not stream automatically. Option D is wrong because SQL Insights is a paid solution.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which DP-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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