DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
You need to migrate an on-premises SQL Server 2019 database to Azure SQL Database with minimal downtime. The database is 500 GB and uses some features not supported in Azure SQL Database, such as FileTables. What is the best migration strategy?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume log shipping (Option A) is viable for Azure SQL Database, but log shipping is not supported for Azure SQL Database as it requires SQL Server Agent and file-level restore operations, which are not available in that PaaS offering.
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
✓
Use Azure Database Migration Service with online mode after removing FileTables
Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) with online mode supports minimal-downtime migrations by continuously replicating ongoing changes from the source SQL Server to Azure SQL Database. However, FileTables are not supported in Azure SQL Database, so they must be removed from the source database before migration. This approach ensures near-zero downtime while addressing the unsupported feature.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set up log shipping to an Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Log shipping is not supported for Azure SQL Database; it only works with SQL Server on VMs.
- ✗
Perform an offline migration using Azure Database Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
Offline migration requires downtime and still needs to address non-supported features like FileTables.
- ✗
Export a BACPAC file from the source and import it to Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
BACPAC export/import is offline and may fail if the database contains unsupported features.
- ✓
Use Azure Database Migration Service with online mode after removing FileTables
Why this is correct
Online migration minimizes downtime. Remove unsupported features first, then migrate using DMS.
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.
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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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.