DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
You are planning to deploy an Azure SQL Managed Instance to host several databases migrated from an on-premises SQL Server. The instance must support cross-database queries, SQL Server Agent jobs, and Service Broker. You need to ensure that the instance can handle the expected IOPS and throughput requirements. Which configuration should you implement?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that enabling In-Memory OLTP in the General Purpose tier will provide the same performance as the Business Critical tier, when the storage layer is the limiting factor.
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
✓
Deploy the instance in the Business Critical service tier with local SSD storage.
The Business Critical service tier in Azure SQL Managed Instance uses local SSD storage, delivering the lowest latency and highest IOPS and throughput. It also supports cross-database queries, SQL Server Agent, and Service Broker, which are required. The General Purpose tier uses remote storage and may not meet high-performance demands. In-Memory OLTP alone does not overcome storage limitations, and geo-replication is for disaster recovery, not local performance. Therefore, Business Critical with local SSD is the correct choice.
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 the instance in the Business Critical service tier with local SSD storage.
Why this is correct
The Business Critical service tier in Azure SQL Managed Instance uses local SSD storage and provides the lowest latency and highest IOPS and throughput. It also includes a built-in read-only replica for offloading reporting. It fully supports cross-database queries, SQL Server Agent, and Service Broker. This tier is designed for high-performance and high-availability requirements, making it the best fit for the described workload.
- ✗
Deploy the instance in the General Purpose service tier with standard storage.
Why it's wrong here
The General Purpose service tier uses remote Azure Premium Storage and is suitable for most business workloads, but it may not deliver the low-latency, high-IOPS performance required for demanding workloads. It supports cross-database queries, SQL Agent, and Service Broker, but if the instance requires high IOPS and throughput, the General Purpose tier might not meet those performance needs. The scenario implies a need for higher performance than standard storage can provide.
- ✗
Deploy the instance in the General Purpose service tier and enable the In-Memory OLTP feature.
Why it's wrong here
In-Memory OLTP is available in both General Purpose and Business Critical tiers, but it does not address the underlying storage performance limitations of the General Purpose tier. While it can improve performance for memory-optimized tables, it does not increase the IOPS or throughput of the storage layer. The Business Critical tier is still required for the highest IOPS and lowest latency, so this option does not fully meet the performance requirements.
- ✗
Deploy the instance in the Business Critical service tier and configure geo-replication for read scale-out.
Why it's wrong here
The Business Critical service tier does provide the required performance and features. However, configuring geo-replication is for disaster recovery and cross-region read scale-out, not for meeting local IOPS and throughput needs. It adds cost and complexity without addressing the core requirement. The scenario does not mention a need for geo-replication, so this option is unnecessary and does not directly solve the performance requirement.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Deploying and Configuring Azure SQL Managed Instance
Key term
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance is a fully managed cloud database service that gives you nearly all the features of Microsoft SQL Server on your own server, without you having to manage the hardware or operating system.
About these practice questions
One of 574 original DP-300 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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.