DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
A company is deploying a new application on Azure and needs a relational database service that automatically scales compute and storage, provides built-in high availability, and requires no management of the underlying operating system. They also want to pay only for what they use. Which Azure service should they choose?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse Azure SQL Database with SQL Server on Azure VMs, assuming that any SQL Server option is fully managed when only the PaaS offering eliminates OS management.
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 Database
Azure SQL Database is the correct choice because it is a fully managed relational database platform as a service (PaaS) that automatically handles scaling, high availability, and maintenance. It requires no OS management and offers consumption-based pricing. The other options either involve more management overhead or are not relational database services.
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 Database for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
Azure Database for MySQL is a managed relational database service, but it is based on MySQL, not SQL Server. While it offers automatic scaling and high availability, it may not support the specific SQL Server features or compatibility the company might need. The scenario does not specify MySQL compatibility, so it is not the best fit.
- ✗
Azure Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model NoSQL database service. While it offers automatic scaling and high availability, it is not a relational database and does not support SQL Server's relational features like foreign keys or stored procedures in the same way. Thus, it does not meet the requirement for a relational database service.
- ✗
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Why it's wrong here
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines is an IaaS offering where the company must manage the operating system, SQL Server updates, and high availability configurations. It does not provide automatic scaling or built-in high availability without additional setup. Therefore, it does not meet the requirement for a fully managed service with minimal overhead.
- ✓
Azure SQL Database
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS relational database service that automatically handles scaling, high availability, and patching. It eliminates OS management and offers consumption-based pricing models. This aligns perfectly with the company's requirements for a hands-off, scalable relational database on Azure.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL VM
Key term
Relational database
A relational database organizes data into tables with rows and columns, where each table relates to others using unique keys, allowing efficient storage, retrieval, and manipulation of structured information.
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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.