The correct answer is to set the primary database to read-only, perform a planned failover, then switch the new primary to read-write. This approach achieves zero data loss during planned failover with active geo-replication because placing the primary in read-only mode halts all write transactions, allowing the secondary replica to synchronize completely before the failover executes. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how active geo-replication handles synchronization under heavy write loads—a common trap is assuming scaling or backups suffice, but only blocking writes guarantees no lost transactions. Remember the key sequence: stop writes, failover, resume writes. A helpful memory tip is “Read-Only, Failover, Read-Write” (RFR), ensuring you never confuse this with a forced failover that risks data loss.
DP-300 Practice Question: Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Your company has an Azure SQL Database configured with active geo-replication to a secondary region. You need to perform a planned failover for disaster recovery testing with zero data loss. The primary database is under heavy write load. What should you do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the primary database to read-only, perform a planned failover, then switch the new primary to read-write.
Option A is correct because to achieve zero data loss, you should set the database to read-only to prevent any writes, then failover, and finally resume writes on the new primary. Option B is incorrect because scaling up does not guarantee zero data loss. Option C is incorrect because backup and restore would cause data loss. Option D is incorrect because you should not switch to read-only mode, as that would prevent writes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 the primary database to read-only, perform a planned failover, then switch the new primary to read-write.
Why this is correct
Correct: This ensures no writes occur during failover, preserving data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Switch the secondary to read-write mode and then failover.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: The secondary is already readable; switching to read-write does not prevent data loss.
✗
Take a full backup of the primary, restore it to the secondary, and then failover.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Backup and restore would cause data loss of transactions after the backup.
✗
Scale up the primary database to the highest performance tier to handle writes during failover.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Scaling up does not prevent data loss during failover.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Identify which DP-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — This question tests Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the primary database to read-only, perform a planned failover, then switch the new primary to read-write. — Option A is correct because to achieve zero data loss, you should set the database to read-only to prevent any writes, then failover, and finally resume writes on the new primary. Option B is incorrect because scaling up does not guarantee zero data loss. Option C is incorrect because backup and restore would cause data loss. Option D is incorrect because you should not switch to read-only mode, as that would prevent writes.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which DP-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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