The answer is to configure active geo-replication to a secondary server in the target region. This is correct because active geo-replication creates a continuously synchronized, readable secondary database in a different Azure region, which directly meets the requirement for a readable secondary replica for reporting queries under the Business Critical service tier. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between high-availability and disaster-recovery features: auto-failover groups only support readable secondaries within the same region, while geo-restore provides no readability during recovery. A common trap is assuming that backup redundancy or failover groups alone satisfy cross-region read-scale needs. Memory tip: think "geo for geo-redundant reads" — active geo-replication gives you a readable copy in another region, while failover groups keep readable secondaries local.
DP-300 Practice Question: Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment. 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 designing a disaster recovery plan for an Azure SQL Database that uses the Business Critical service tier. The database is 2 TB. You need to ensure that the secondary replica in a different Azure region is readable for reporting queries. 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
✓
Configure active geo-replication to a secondary server in the target region.
Option B is correct because active geo-replication creates a readable secondary database in a different region. Option A is wrong because auto-failover groups require a secondary in the same region for readable secondaries. Option C is wrong because geo-restore is not readable during recovery. Option D is wrong because backup redundancy does not provide a readable secondary.
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.
✗
Create an auto-failover group with a secondary in the paired region.
Why it's wrong here
Auto-failover group secondary is not readable unless in the same region.
✗
Enable zone-redundant backup storage.
Why it's wrong here
Zone-redundant backup does not provide a readable replica.
✓
Configure active geo-replication to a secondary server in the target region.
Why this is correct
Active geo-replication provides a readable secondary database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use geo-restore from geo-redundant backups.
Why it's wrong here
Geo-restore is not a continuous readable 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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — This question tests Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure active geo-replication to a secondary server in the target region. — Option B is correct because active geo-replication creates a readable secondary database in a different region. Option A is wrong because auto-failover groups require a secondary in the same region for readable secondaries. Option C is wrong because geo-restore is not readable during recovery. Option D is wrong because backup redundancy does not provide a readable secondary.
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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