DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You manage an Azure SQL Managed Instance that hosts a database with a high volume of transactions. You notice that the transaction log is growing rapidly and is not being truncated. You need to identify the cause and resolve the issue. What should you do?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that shrinking the log or changing the recovery model is a quick fix, without addressing the underlying truncation delay.
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
✓
Identify and resolve long-running transactions or replication delays.
The correct action is to identify and resolve long-running transactions or replication delays. In the Full recovery model, log truncation is blocked by active transactions or replication. Resolving these allows the log to truncate, reclaiming space. Other options either compromise recovery (Simple model) or treat symptoms (shrink, increase size). Addressing the root cause is essential for a healthy transaction log.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the maximum size of the transaction log file.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing the maximum size allows the log to grow further but does not address why it is not truncating. The log will continue to grow until it reaches the new limit, potentially filling storage. The root cause is a truncation delay, such as an uncommitted transaction or replication latency. Simply allowing more growth is a temporary fix that masks the problem and can lead to storage exhaustion.
- ✓
Identify and resolve long-running transactions or replication delays.
Why this is correct
In the Full recovery model, the transaction log cannot be truncated until all transactions are committed and log records are backed up or replicated. Long-running transactions or replication delays hold log records, preventing truncation and causing growth. Resolving these issues allows the log to truncate normally. This is the correct approach because it addresses the root cause without compromising recovery capabilities.
- ✗
Change the database to the Simple recovery model.
Why it's wrong here
Switching to Simple recovery model would allow log truncation, but it eliminates the ability to perform point-in-time restores and breaks log shipping. In a high-transaction database, this is likely unacceptable. The issue is not the recovery model but a long-running transaction or replication that prevents log truncation. Changing the recovery model is a drastic step that addresses the symptom, not the root cause, and compromises recoverability.
- ✗
Shrink the transaction log file to reclaim space.
Why it's wrong here
Shrinking the log file may temporarily reduce its size, but if the underlying cause (e.g., long-running transaction) persists, the log will grow again. Shrinking is not a solution; it can lead to fragmentation and performance issues. The log growth indicates a blockage in truncation, which must be resolved first. Shrinking without fixing the cause is ineffective and can cause unnecessary I/O.
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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.
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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
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