- A
Change the backup storage redundancy of the secondary replica to locally-redundant storage (LRS).
This reduces log write latency on the secondary replica because LRS has lower write latency than GRS, while still maintaining disaster recovery.
- B
Add an additional secondary replica to distribute the log write load.
Why wrong: Adding replicas does not directly reduce log write latency; it may increase complexity.
- C
Change the failover group to use asynchronous commit mode.
Why wrong: Asynchronous commit reduces latency but increases data loss risk, which is unacceptable for financial services.
- D
Decrease the service tier of the secondary replica to General Purpose.
Why wrong: This reduces latency but also reduces the performance and redundancy of the secondary replica.
Quick Answer
The answer is to change the backup storage redundancy of the secondary replica to locally-redundant storage (LRS). This reduces log write latency on the secondary replica in Azure SQL Database Business Critical because backup storage operations, which are synchronous and tied to the log write path, are faster when using LRS compared to geo-redundant storage (GRS), which requires additional cross-region writes. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how backup storage redundancy directly impacts transaction log throughput in a Business Critical failover group, especially under heavy OLTP workloads. A common trap is assuming you must lower the service tier or switch to asynchronous commit, but those compromise disaster recovery guarantees or data protection. The key insight is that the secondary replica’s backup storage setting is a configurable latency bottleneck that does not affect primary replica performance once optimized. Memory tip: LRS = Less Remote Storage, meaning less latency for log writes.
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. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 large financial services company. You manage an Azure SQL Database in the Business Critical tier with a failover group configured for disaster recovery. The database has a heavy OLTP workload. You notice that the secondary replica is experiencing high log write latency, impacting the primary's performance due to synchronous commit. You need to minimize the performance impact on the primary while maintaining disaster recovery capabilities. What should you do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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 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
Change the backup storage redundancy of the secondary replica to locally-redundant storage (LRS).
Option C is correct because changing the secondary replica's backup storage redundancy from locally-redundant storage (LRS) to geo-redundant storage (GRS) might cause increased latency, but here the issue is high log write latency. Actually, the correct answer is to change the secondary's backup storage redundancy to LRS (if it is GRS) to reduce latency. However, the options are as given. Option A is wrong because decreasing the secondary replica's service tier reduces latency but also reduces redundancy. Option B is wrong because asynchronous commit reduces protection. Option D is wrong because adding more replicas increases cost and complexity. The best answer is C, as it addresses the storage latency issue without compromising data protection.
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.
- ✓
Change the backup storage redundancy of the secondary replica to locally-redundant storage (LRS).
Why this is correct
This reduces log write latency on the secondary replica because LRS has lower write latency than GRS, while still maintaining disaster recovery.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "primary", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add an additional secondary replica to distribute the log write load.
Why it's wrong here
Adding replicas does not directly reduce log write latency; it may increase complexity.
- ✗
Change the failover group to use asynchronous commit mode.
Why it's wrong here
Asynchronous commit reduces latency but increases data loss risk, which is unacceptable for financial services.
- ✗
Decrease the service tier of the secondary replica to General Purpose.
Why it's wrong here
This reduces latency but also reduces the performance and redundancy of the secondary replica.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — study guide chapter
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Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources practice questions
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Change the backup storage redundancy of the secondary replica to locally-redundant storage (LRS). — Option C is correct because changing the secondary replica's backup storage redundancy from locally-redundant storage (LRS) to geo-redundant storage (GRS) might cause increased latency, but here the issue is high log write latency. Actually, the correct answer is to change the secondary's backup storage redundancy to LRS (if it is GRS) to reduce latency. However, the options are as given. Option A is wrong because decreasing the secondary replica's service tier reduces latency but also reduces redundancy. Option B is wrong because asynchronous commit reduces protection. Option D is wrong because adding more replicas increases cost and complexity. The best answer is C, as it addresses the storage latency issue without compromising data protection.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary", "minimum / minimize". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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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