Quick Answer
The answer is a Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC). A Basic availability group in SQL Server on Azure VMs relies on WSFC to provide the cluster heartbeat and quorum mechanism that enables automatic failover; without an odd number of voting nodes in the WSFC, the availability group cannot detect a primary replica failure and initiate a seamless transition to a secondary replica. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding that automatic failover is a cluster-level function, not a network or connectivity feature—common traps include confusing the Azure Load Balancer (which only supports the listener IP) or a virtual network gateway with the failover process itself. Remember the key distinction: WSFC handles the failover decision, while a listener handles client redirection. Memory tip: “Failover needs a cluster, not a listener or a bluster.”
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 have a SQL Server 2022 on Azure VM configured with a Basic availability group for a line-of-business application. The application requires automatic failover without manual intervention. What additional component is needed?
Azure Load Balancer
Why wrong: Used for listener IP, but WSFC is required for automatic failover.
Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC)
WSFC provides the cluster infrastructure for automatic failover in a Basic AG.
Virtual network gateway
Why wrong: Used for VPN connectivity, not for AG failover.
Availability group listener
Why wrong: Listener provides a single connection point but does not enable automatic failover.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC)
Option A is correct because a Basic availability group requires a Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC) with an odd number of voting nodes to achieve automatic failover. Option B is incorrect because a listener is for client connectivity, not for automatic failover. Option C is incorrect because a virtual network gateway is for cross-premises connectivity. Option D is incorrect because Azure Load Balancer is used for listener IP, not for automatic failover itself.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
Used for listener IP, but WSFC is required for automatic failover.
Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC)
Why this is correct
WSFC provides the cluster infrastructure for automatic failover in a Basic AG.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Virtual network gateway
Why it's wrong here
Used for VPN connectivity, not for AG failover.
Availability group listener
Why it's wrong here
Listener provides a single connection point but does not enable automatic failover.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DP-300 questions
953 questions across all exam domains
Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DP-300 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and implement data platform resources.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to Configure and manage automation of tasks.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and configure high availability and disaster recovery.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to Implement a secure environment.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 fundamentals.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 scenario.
Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
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..
The correct answer is: Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC) — Option A is correct because a Basic availability group requires a Windows Server Failover Cluster (WSFC) with an odd number of voting nodes to achieve automatic failover. Option B is incorrect because a listener is for client connectivity, not for automatic failover. Option C is incorrect because a virtual network gateway is for cross-premises connectivity. Option D is incorrect because Azure Load Balancer is used for listener IP, not for automatic failover itself.
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.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.