- A
Deploy a secondary instance using a Bicep template with geo-zone-redundant storage.
Why wrong: Bicep is for deployment, not DR; geo-zone-redundant storage protects data but does not provide automatic failover.
- B
Implement auto-failover groups with a readable secondary in another region.
Why wrong: While auto-failover groups exist for SQL Database, for SQL Managed Instance the feature is simply called failover groups, which already provide automatic failover.
- C
Configure active geo-replication between two managed instances.
Why wrong: Active geo-replication is not supported for SQL Managed Instance; failover groups are used instead.
- D
Create a failover group between the primary and a secondary managed instance in a paired region.
Failover groups for SQL Managed Instance provide automatic failover and a readable secondary replica, meeting all requirements.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a failover group between the primary and a secondary managed instance in a paired region. This configuration is correct because Azure SQL Managed Instance failover groups automatically handle regional disaster recovery by replicating data to a readable secondary replica in a paired region, which supports both automatic failover during an outage and read-only access for reporting or read-scale workloads during normal operations, thereby eliminating the need for a separate, costly reporting database. On the DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of the specific DR features available for Managed Instance versus SQL Database—a common trap is confusing geo-replication (which only applies to SQL Database) with failover groups. Remember the mnemonic: "MI needs a Group, DB can go solo" to recall that Managed Instance requires failover groups, while SQL Database can use geo-replication.
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 Managed Instance that hosts a critical OLTP workload. The primary instance is deployed in West Europe. You need to ensure that failover to a secondary region occurs automatically when the primary becomes unavailable due to a regional outage, and that the secondary database is readable during normal operations. You also want to minimize storage costs. What should you configure?
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
Create a failover group between the primary and a secondary managed instance in a paired region.
Option B is correct. Azure SQL Managed Instance supports failover groups with readable secondary replicas. By default, the secondary is read-only and can be used for read-only workloads, reducing the need for separate reporting databases. The failover group provides automatic failover. Option A is wrong because geo-replication is available only for SQL Database, not SQL Managed Instance. Option C is wrong because a Bicep template is used for deployment, not for configuring DR. Option D is wrong because auto-failover groups do include readable secondaries, but the correct answer is simply failover groups, as they encompass the feature.
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.
- ✗
Deploy a secondary instance using a Bicep template with geo-zone-redundant storage.
Why it's wrong here
Bicep is for deployment, not DR; geo-zone-redundant storage protects data but does not provide automatic failover.
- ✗
Implement auto-failover groups with a readable secondary in another region.
Why it's wrong here
While auto-failover groups exist for SQL Database, for SQL Managed Instance the feature is simply called failover groups, which already provide automatic failover.
- ✗
Configure active geo-replication between two managed instances.
Why it's wrong here
Active geo-replication is not supported for SQL Managed Instance; failover groups are used instead.
- ✓
Create a failover group between the primary and a secondary managed instance in a paired region.
Why this is correct
Failover groups for SQL Managed Instance provide automatic failover and a readable secondary replica, meeting all requirements.
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.
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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Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-300 question test?
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: Create a failover group between the primary and a secondary managed instance in a paired region. — Option B is correct. Azure SQL Managed Instance supports failover groups with readable secondary replicas. By default, the secondary is read-only and can be used for read-only workloads, reducing the need for separate reporting databases. The failover group provides automatic failover. Option A is wrong because geo-replication is available only for SQL Database, not SQL Managed Instance. Option C is wrong because a Bicep template is used for deployment, not for configuring DR. Option D is wrong because auto-failover groups do include readable secondaries, but the correct answer is simply failover groups, as they encompass the feature.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on DP-300
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are designing a disaster recovery plan for an Azure SQL Managed Instance that hosts an OLTP application. The application requires an RPO of 15 seconds and an RTO of 5 minutes. You need to choose a configuration that meets these requirements. Which TWO options should you consider? (Choose two.)
medium- ✓ A.Configure a failover group with a secondary instance in a paired region, both using Business Critical service tier.
- B.Deploy a zone-redundant Business Critical instance in a single region.
- C.Deploy a General Purpose instance with a failover group to a secondary in another region.
- D.Ensure the secondary instance has at least one readable secondary replica.
- ✓ E.Use active geo-replication between two Business Critical instances in different regions.
Why A: Options B and C are correct. Failover groups with active geo-replication between Business Critical instances provide synchronous commit within the primary region and asynchronous geo-replication, achieving RPO of ~5 seconds and RTO of ~1 minute for automated failover. Zone-redundant configuration alone does not protect against regional failure. General Purpose does not guarantee low RPO. Option A is wrong because zone-redundancy does not protect regionally. Option D is wrong because General Purpose cannot meet the RPO. Option E is correct.
Variation 2. You have an Azure SQL Managed Instance. You need to implement a disaster recovery solution that provides automatic failover with an RTO of less than 1 hour. Which THREE actions should you take?
medium- A.Enable zone redundancy on the primary instance.
- ✓ B.Create a secondary Managed Instance in a different Azure region.
- ✓ C.Configure a failover group between the primary and secondary.
- D.Enable geo-replication on the instance.
- ✓ E.Use the Business Critical service tier for both instances.
Why B: Options A, C, and E are correct because creating a secondary instance in another region, configuring a failover group, and using Business Critical tier (which supports failover groups) meet the requirements. Option B is wrong because zone redundancy is within region. Option D is wrong because geo-replication is not supported on Managed Instance directly; failover groups are used.
Variation 3. You are planning a disaster recovery solution for an Azure SQL Managed Instance. The solution must meet the following requirements: provide automatic failover to a secondary region, support read-only workloads on the secondary, and allow manual failback. Which TWO features should you include? (Choose two.)
medium- A.Active geo-replication
- B.Geo-restore
- ✓ C.Failover group
- ✓ D.Manual failover
- E.Log shipping
Why C: Options A and D are correct. Failover groups provide automatic failover and support readable secondary. Manual failback is possible by initiating a failover in the opposite direction. Option B (active geo-replication) is not for managed instances. Option C (geo-restore) does not provide automatic failover. Option E (log shipping) is not built-in.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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