Quick Answer
The answer is to use a readable secondary in a failover group. This feature allows you to offload reporting workload in Azure SQL Managed Instance by directing read-only queries to a secondary replica, which maintains a synchronized copy of your database and can tolerate the latency typical of reporting operations. For the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of high-availability and read-scale options, often appearing as a trap where candidates confuse failover groups with auto-failover groups—the latter is strictly for disaster recovery and does not support read-only routing. A common memory tip is to associate “readable secondary” with “read-scale” and “failover group” with “routing,” not recovery. Remember: if the goal is to offload reporting, think “failover group with readable secondary,” not “auto-failover group.”
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. 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 an Azure SQL Managed Instance with a database that is used for reporting. The reporting queries are read-only and can tolerate some latency. You want to offload the reporting workload from the primary instance to a secondary read-only replica. Which feature should you use?
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.
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Why wrong: SSIS is an ETL tool, not for read-only routing.
Readable secondary in a failover group
Allows read-only queries to be routed to the secondary.
Transaction replication
Why wrong: Transaction replication is not natively supported in Managed Instance for this purpose.
Auto-failover group with read-write secondary
Why wrong: Auto-failover groups are for failover, not read-only offloading.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Readable secondary in a failover group
Option A is correct because failover groups with readable secondary allow read-only routing. Option B is wrong because auto-failover groups are for disaster recovery, not read-only offloading. Option C is wrong because SQL Server Integration Services is for ETL. Option D is wrong because transaction replication requires additional configuration and is not native to Managed Instance.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Why it's wrong here
SSIS is an ETL tool, not for read-only routing.
Readable secondary in a failover group
Why this is correct
Allows read-only queries to be routed to the secondary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Transaction replication
Why it's wrong here
Transaction replication is not natively supported in Managed Instance for this purpose.
Auto-failover group with read-write secondary
Why it's wrong here
Auto-failover groups are for failover, not read-only offloading.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-300 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Readable secondary in a failover group — Option A is correct because failover groups with readable secondary allow read-only routing. Option B is wrong because auto-failover groups are for disaster recovery, not read-only offloading. Option C is wrong because SQL Server Integration Services is for ETL. Option D is wrong because transaction replication requires additional configuration and is not native to Managed Instance.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-300 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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