DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
Your Azure SQL Database is configured with active geo-replication. You need to automate the failover process in case of a regional outage. The solution should ensure minimal data loss and support testing without affecting the production environment. What should you use?
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
✓
Create an Azure Automation runbook that monitors health and executes a manual failover using PowerShell cmdlet Start-AzSqlDatabaseFailover.
Azure SQL Database active geo-replication supports manual failover only; automatic failover is not available. To automate the process, you can use Azure Automation runbooks that invoke the Start-AzSqlDatabaseFailover cmdlet. This allows for scheduled or monitored failover, supports testing by targeting the secondary replica, and minimizes data loss by ensuring the primary is synchronized before failover. Option A is incorrect because Azure Traffic Manager performs DNS-level routing, not database failover. Option B is incorrect because Azure Load Balancer is for network traffic distribution, not SQL database failover. Option D is incorrect because geo-replication does not provide automatic failover; failover must be initiated manually or via automation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure an Azure Traffic Manager profile with endpoint monitoring and failover.
Why it's wrong here
Traffic Manager is for DNS-level traffic routing, not for initiating SQL database failover.
- ✗
Use Azure Load Balancer with a health probe to redirect traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Load Balancer is for network traffic, not for database failover.
- ✓
Create an Azure Automation runbook that monitors health and executes a manual failover using PowerShell cmdlet Start-AzSqlDatabaseFailover.
Why this is correct
Azure Automation can run a script to check health and trigger failover, providing automated response while allowing manual testing.
- ✗
Enable automatic failover for the geo-replication group.
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database active geo-replication does not support automatic failover; failover is always manual or forced.
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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