DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
Your company plans to migrate multiple on-premises SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instance. You need to select the appropriate migration method that minimizes downtime and supports automated schema and data validation. The source databases are running SQL Server 2019 Enterprise Edition. Which tool should you recommend?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the Log Replay Service (which is a valid tool for SQL Managed Instance migrations) with a fully automated validation solution, but it lacks the built-in schema and data validation that DMS online mode provides.
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.
Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) with online mode is the correct choice because it supports minimal downtime migrations by continuously replicating ongoing changes from the source SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance, and it provides built-in schema and data validation to ensure consistency before cutover. This aligns with the requirement for automated validation and minimal downtime.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the Log Replay Service to continuously replicate transaction logs.
Why it's wrong here
Log Replay Service is a manual process without built-in validation.
- ✗
Set up transactional replication from on-premises to Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Why it's wrong here
Transactional replication requires additional configuration and does not include validation.
- ✓
Use Azure Database Migration Service with online mode.
Why this is correct
DMS online mode provides minimal downtime and automated validation.
- ✗
Export the databases as BACPAC files and import them into Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Why it's wrong here
BACPAC export/import is offline and causes significant downtime.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
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.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every DP-300 question from scratch — 906 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.