The answer is to create a read-only replica and run the aggregation on the replica. This approach is correct because a read replica provides a separate, synchronized copy of your Azure SQL Database that can handle reporting or analytics workloads without competing for resources with the production database. Since the aggregation job is read-only, it can safely execute against this replica, and you can scale the replica down or pause it when not in use, making it highly cost-effective for periodic tasks. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure SQL Database’s read scale-out feature and how to isolate workloads for performance and cost. A common trap is choosing to run the job on the primary database during off-peak hours, which still risks production impact and doesn’t minimize cost as effectively. Remember the memory tip: “Replica for reporting, primary for performing” — always offload heavy read-only analytics to a read replica to keep production lean and costs low.
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 an Azure SQL Database and needs to run a weekly data aggregation job that takes several hours. They want to minimize cost and avoid impacting production workload. Which approach should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a read-only replica and run the aggregation on the replica
Creating a read-only replica allows the weekly aggregation job to run against a separate copy of the database without affecting the production workload. Since the replica is read-only, it incurs additional compute costs only during the aggregation window, and you can scale it down or stop it when not in use, minimizing overall cost.
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.
✗
Migrate the database to the Hyperscale service tier
Why it's wrong here
Hyperscale is for size and performance, not for workload isolation.
✗
Use Azure Elastic Jobs to run the aggregation during off-peak hours
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Jobs schedule jobs but do not isolate workload.
✗
Increase the DTU or vCore size of the database to handle the load
Why it's wrong here
Increases cost and may still impact production.
✓
Create a read-only replica and run the aggregation on the replica
Why this is correct
Read-only replica offloads read workloads without affecting the primary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Azure Elastic Jobs as a workload isolation tool, when in fact it only schedules jobs on the same database and does not provide a separate compute resource.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SQL Database read-only replicas use the Always On availability group technology to maintain a synchronized copy of the database. The replica can be used for reporting or analytical queries without locking or contention on the primary. In a real-world scenario, you could create a geo-replicated secondary in a different region to also provide disaster recovery benefits while offloading the aggregation workload.
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
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
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: Create a read-only replica and run the aggregation on the replica — Creating a read-only replica allows the weekly aggregation job to run against a separate copy of the database without affecting the production workload. Since the replica is read-only, it incurs additional compute costs only during the aggregation window, and you can scale it down or stop it when not in use, minimizing overall cost.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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