- A
Azure SQL Database (single database)
Why wrong: Azure SQL Database single database does not support cross-database queries within the same logical server without workarounds like elastic query, and it lacks SQL Agent and Service Broker features entirely. Application code changes would be required.
- B
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance offers high compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including SQL Agent, Service Broker, and cross-database queries. It is a PaaS solution that requires minimal to no application code changes, making it the best fit for this scenario.
- C
Azure SQL Database elastic pool
Why wrong: An elastic pool is a resource-sharing container for multiple Azure SQL databases. It does not provide instance-level features like SQL Agent or Service Broker, nor does it support cross-database queries across databases in the pool.
- D
Azure SQL Database Hyperscale
Why wrong: The Hyperscale service tier is designed for large databases with high scalability, but it does not include SQL Agent or Service Broker support. It also does not inherently support cross-database queries within the same instance.
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. A key principle to apply: azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility.. 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 plans to migrate an on-premises SQL Server database to Azure. The database uses SQL Server Agent for nightly maintenance jobs, Service Broker for asynchronous messaging, and requires cross-database queries within the same instance. The company wants a fully managed Platform as a Service (PaaS) solution that minimizes application code changes. 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 the correct choice because it provides near 100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including SQL Server Agent, Service Broker, and cross-database queries within the same instance, while being a fully managed PaaS offering. This minimizes application code changes because the migration can be performed with minimal schema or code modifications, unlike Azure SQL Database which lacks these features.
Key principle: Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility.
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 (single database)
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database single database does not support cross-database queries within the same logical server without workarounds like elastic query, and it lacks SQL Agent and Service Broker features entirely. Application code changes would be required.
- ✓
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Managed Instance offers high compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including SQL Agent, Service Broker, and cross-database queries. It is a PaaS solution that requires minimal to no application code changes, making it the best fit for this scenario.
Related concept
Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database elastic pool
Why it's wrong here
An elastic pool is a resource-sharing container for multiple Azure SQL databases. It does not provide instance-level features like SQL Agent or Service Broker, nor does it support cross-database queries across databases in the pool.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database Hyperscale
Why it's wrong here
The Hyperscale service tier is designed for large databases with high scalability, but it does not include SQL Agent or Service Broker support. It also does not inherently support cross-database queries within the same instance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure SQL Database elastic pool with a managed instance, assuming it provides instance-level features, when in fact it is merely a cost-saving container for multiple single databases that still lack SQL Server Agent, Service Broker, and cross-database query support.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SQL Managed Instance runs in a dedicated virtual network and uses a full SQL Server Database Engine, enabling features like CLR integration, linked servers, and Database Mail, which are absent in Azure SQL Database. The Service Broker in Managed Instance uses the same T-SQL syntax and message types as on-premises, allowing asynchronous messaging to work without code changes. Cross-database queries within the same instance are supported via three- or four-part names, just like on-premises, whereas Azure SQL Database requires elastic queries or external data sources.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility.
- It supports SQL Server Agent for job scheduling.
- Service Broker for asynchronous messaging is fully supported.
- Cross-database queries within the same instance are natively available.
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
Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility., then practise related DP-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DP-900 questions
982 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DP-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DP-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Describe core data concepts practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe core data concepts.
Describe an analytics workload on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe an analytics workload on Azure.
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Identify considerations for relational data on Azure.
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure.
DP-900 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 fundamentals.
DP-900 scenario practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 scenario.
DP-900 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DP-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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 — Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure SQL Managed Instance — Azure SQL Managed Instance is the correct choice because it provides near 100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including SQL Server Agent, Service Broker, and cross-database queries within the same instance, while being a fully managed PaaS offering. This minimizes application code changes because the migration can be performed with minimal schema or code modifications, unlike Azure SQL Database which lacks these features.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Review azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility., then practise related DP-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near 100% SQL Server compatibility.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More DP-900 practice questions
- An e-commerce application processes customer orders. When an order is placed, the system must decrement the inventory co…
- A company runs an e-commerce application on Azure SQL Database. The application experiences heavy read traffic from repo…
- A company uses Azure SQL Database for an order management system. The Orders table has columns: OrderID (int, primary ke…
- A gaming company stores player scores in Azure Cosmos DB using the NoSQL API. Each document contains fields: PlayerID (u…
- A gaming company stores player profiles as JSON documents. Each profile includes standard fields like playerId, username…
- A company is migrating an on-premises SQL Server database to Azure. They want to ensure that database administrators (DB…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.