DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
You are planning to migrate a 500 GB on-premises SQL Server database to Azure SQL Managed Instance. The database has high transaction volume and cannot tolerate more than 15 minutes of downtime. Which migration methods should you consider? (Choose TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse offline methods (backup/restore, BACPAC) as acceptable for low-downtime scenarios, failing to recognize that only online replication-based methods (DMS online, transactional replication) can meet a strict 15-minute downtime SLA for a high-volume database.
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
✓
Azure Database Migration Service (online mode)
Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) online mode is correct because it uses continuous change data capture (CDC) to replicate ongoing transactions from the source to the target, allowing the source database to remain operational during migration. This minimizes downtime to a final cutover window, which can be under 15 minutes when properly orchestrated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Azure Database Migration Service (online mode)
Why this is correct
Online mode supports minimal downtime.
- ✗
Back up to URL and restore
Why it's wrong here
Offline.
- ✗
Export to BACPAC and import
Why it's wrong here
Offline, causes downtime.
- ✗
Log shipping
Why it's wrong here
Log shipping to Managed Instance is not directly supported.
- ✓
Transactional replication
Why this is correct
Can be set up with minimal downtime.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
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.
Key term
Azure Database Migration
Azure Database Migration is the process of moving databases from on-premises servers or other cloud platforms to Azure’s cloud database services with minimal downtime and data loss.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.