DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
A company needs to migrate a large on-premises SQL Server database to Azure with minimal downtime. Which Azure service should they use for the migration?
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 Database Migration Service
Azure Database Migration Service (D) is correct because it is purpose-built to migrate on-premises SQL Server databases to Azure with minimal downtime, using online migration mode that continuously replicates changes until cutover. Azure SQL Database (A) is a target platform, not a migration tool, so it does not perform the migration itself. Azure Backup (B) only backs up and restores data and does not support live database migration with minimal downtime. Azure Data Factory (C) is an orchestration and data-integration service suited to data movement and ETL, not seamless SQL Server database migration with 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.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database is the migration target, not the migration tool; it cannot itself move an on-premises SQL Server instance with minimal downtime. It is tempting because it is the destination platform, and would be the right choice when selecting where the migrated database should ultimately run.
- ✗
Azure Backup
Why it's wrong here
Azure Backup restores data into a database; it does not perform server-to-Azure migration, so it cannot meet the minimal-downtime cutover requirement. It is tempting because it protects SQL Server data and supports backup to Azure, and would be correct for ongoing backup and recovery, not for relocating the database itself.
- ✗
Azure Data Factory
Why it's wrong here
Azure Data Factory copies data between stores but does not perform a full SQL Server instance migration with transactional consistency and minimal downtime. It is tempting because it orchestrates data movement, and would be correct for scheduled ETL pipelines or copying tables, not for cutover migration.
- ✓
Azure Database Migration Service
Why this is correct
Azure Database Migration Service performs online migrations, continuously replicating source changes to the target while the database stays operational. This satisfies the minimal-downtime constraint, since the cutover occurs only after replication catches up, unlike backup-and-restore approaches that require taking the on-premises SQL Server offline for the entire transfer.
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Related to this question
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Databricks Delta Live Tables
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.
Key term
Azure Data Factory
Azure Data Factory is a cloud-based data integration service that lets you create, schedule, and orchestrate data pipelines to move and transform data from various sources to destinations.
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