The correct answer is to configure Azure Private Link for Azure SQL Database. This solution works by creating a private endpoint within your virtual network, which maps the Azure SQL Database logical server to a private IP address from your VNet’s address space. All traffic from Azure services, such as virtual machines or App Service, to the database then flows entirely over the Microsoft backbone network via that private endpoint, never traversing the public internet. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to enforce network isolation for PaaS databases, often appearing as a distractor against options like service endpoints or firewall rules. A common trap is confusing service endpoints—which still use public endpoints but restrict source IPs—with Private Link’s true private IP connectivity. Remember the mnemonic “Private Link = Private IP” to distinguish it from service endpoints that only filter public routes.
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. 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 deploying Azure SQL Database for a new application. You need to ensure that connections from Azure services use a private IP address and do not traverse the public internet. What should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Azure Private Link for Azure SQL Database
Azure Private Link creates a private endpoint in a virtual network, mapping the Azure SQL Database logical server to a private IP address within that VNet. Traffic from Azure services (e.g., VMs, App Service) to the database uses Microsoft's backbone network via the private endpoint, never traversing the public internet. This meets the requirement for private, non-internet-routed connectivity.
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 Virtual Network service endpoints for Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Service endpoints still use public IPs but are secured to the VNet.
✓
Use Azure Private Link for Azure SQL Database
Why this is correct
Private Link uses private IP addresses in your VNet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the Azure SQL Database firewall to allow Azure services
Why it's wrong here
This still uses public endpoints.
✗
Deploy Azure SQL Database inside a virtual network
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database is a PaaS service and cannot be deployed inside a VNet.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Virtual Network service endpoints (which still use the public endpoint and do not provide a private IP) with Private Link (which provides a true private IP), or incorrectly assume Azure SQL Database can be deployed inside a VNet like a managed instance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Private Link uses a network interface (NIC) in the VNet with a private IP from the subnet, and DNS resolution for the SQL logical server's FQDN (e.g., server.database.windows.net) is overridden via a private DNS zone (privatelink.database.windows.net) to resolve to that private IP. This ensures all traffic, including from peered VNets and on-premises via VPN/ExpressRoute, stays within the Microsoft network. A common subtlety: without the private DNS zone, clients might still resolve the public IP, defeating the purpose of Private Link.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
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: Use Azure Private Link for Azure SQL Database — Azure Private Link creates a private endpoint in a virtual network, mapping the Azure SQL Database logical server to a private IP address within that VNet. Traffic from Azure services (e.g., VMs, App Service) to the database uses Microsoft's backbone network via the private endpoint, never traversing the public internet. This meets the requirement for private, non-internet-routed connectivity.
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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Question Discussion
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