DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You manage an Azure SQL Database that uses the General Purpose service tier. You need to reduce storage costs by archiving old data that is not frequently accessed. The archived data must still be queryable occasionally. What should you do?
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
✓
Implement table partitioning and move old partitions to a separate database with a lower service tier.
Implementing table partitioning allows you to efficiently manage large tables by splitting them into smaller, more manageable partitions. You can then move older partitions to a separate database with a lower service tier (e.g., from General Purpose to Basic), which reduces storage costs while keeping the archived data queryable when needed. Stretch Database (option A) is deprecated and no longer recommended. Elastic Query (option C) is used to query remote databases, not to archive data. Hyperscale (option D) is designed for high scalability and performance, not for cost reduction on infrequently accessed data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable Stretch Database to transparently stretch old data to Azure Blob Storage.
Why it's wrong here
Stretch Database is deprecated; not recommended.
- ✓
Implement table partitioning and move old partitions to a separate database with a lower service tier.
Why this is correct
Allows archiving old data in a cheaper database while keeping it queryable.
- ✗
Use Elastic Query to query historical data stored in Azure Blob Storage.
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Query queries external data sources but does not archive data automatically.
- ✗
Migrate to the Hyperscale service tier to take advantage of tiered storage.
Why it's wrong here
Hyperscale does not automatically reduce costs for archiving; it scales storage independently.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
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