- A
Azure SQL Database elastic pool
Why wrong: Elastic pools support multiple databases but do not allow cross-database queries using three-part names or SQL Server Agent at the instance level.
- B
Azure SQL Database single database
Why wrong: Single databases are isolated and cannot reference other databases in queries via three-part names, nor do they provide SQL Server Agent.
- C
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Managed Instance offers instance-level features including cross-database queries, SQL Server Agent, and is PaaS, reducing administrative tasks.
- D
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Why wrong: Azure VMs provide full SQL Server functionality but are IaaS, requiring patching, backup, and high-availability management, which contradicts the goal of reducing overhead.
DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of identify considerations for relational data on azure. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A company has 15 on-premises SQL Server databases, each 20–40 GB, running on a single instance. They rely on cross-database queries using three-part names (e.g., DB1.dbo.table) and SQL Server Agent for maintenance. They want to migrate to Azure with minimal application changes and reduce administrative overhead. Which Azure SQL deployment option should they choose?
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
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance is correct because it provides near-100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including support for cross-database queries using three-part names and SQL Server Agent. This allows the company to migrate with minimal application changes while offloading administrative overhead like patching and backups, which are handled by Azure.
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.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database elastic pool
Why it's wrong here
Elastic pools support multiple databases but do not allow cross-database queries using three-part names or SQL Server Agent at the instance level.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database single database
Why it's wrong here
Single databases are isolated and cannot reference other databases in queries via three-part names, nor do they provide SQL Server Agent.
- ✓
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Why this is correct
Managed Instance offers instance-level features including cross-database queries, SQL Server Agent, and is PaaS, reducing administrative tasks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Why it's wrong here
Azure VMs provide full SQL Server functionality but are IaaS, requiring patching, backup, and high-availability management, which contradicts the goal of reducing overhead.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure SQL Database's elastic pool with Managed Instance, not realizing that elastic pools still lack cross-database query support and SQL Server Agent, which are critical for the described workload.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SQL Managed Instance uses a VNet-embedded deployment model that ensures the same T-SQL surface area as on-premises SQL Server, including the `sys.sp_send_dbmail` stored procedure and SQL Server Agent jobs. Cross-database queries with three-part names work because Managed Instance maintains a shared database catalog, unlike Azure SQL Database's elastic pools which require sharding or federation. In real-world migrations, this option is ideal for lift-and-shift scenarios where legacy dependencies on Agent jobs and cross-database logic cannot be refactored.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure SQL Managed Instance — Azure SQL Managed Instance is correct because it provides near-100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including support for cross-database queries using three-part names and SQL Server Agent. This allows the company to migrate with minimal application changes while offloading administrative overhead like patching and backups, which are handled by Azure.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This DP-900 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-900 exam.
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