- A
Auto-failover groups
Why wrong: Failover groups enable automatic failover of multiple databases, but they do not primarily focus on offloading read traffic; the secondary in a failover group is not readable unless you also enable geo-replication.
- B
Active geo-replication
Correct. Active geo-replication provides a readable secondary database that can serve reporting queries while the primary handles transactional workloads. The replication lag is typically within minutes.
- C
Elastic pools
Why wrong: Elastic pools allow multiple databases to share resources but do not create a separate read-only copy for offloading queries.
- D
Query Performance Insight
Why wrong: Query Performance Insight is a monitoring tool that helps identify performance bottlenecks, but it does not offload queries to a replica.
Quick Answer
The answer is active geo-replication. This Azure SQL Database feature creates a readable secondary replica in a different Azure region, allowing you to offload reporting dashboards and other read-heavy workloads to that copy without impacting transactional performance on the primary database. The secondary replica stays synchronized using asynchronous replication, typically within seconds to minutes, which perfectly matches the requirement for near-real-time data without degrading the primary’s write operations. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to separate read and write workloads using Azure’s built-in high-availability features; a common trap is confusing active geo-replication with failover groups or read scale-out via a local secondary, but remember that active geo-replication specifically provides a geographically separate, readable copy for read scale-out. Memory tip: think “geo” for geography and “active” for readable—active geo-replication gives you a remote, readable twin that stays in sync within minutes.
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: active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases.. 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 runs an e-commerce application on Azure SQL Database. The application experiences heavy read traffic from reporting dashboards that query the same tables as the transactional workload. This causes performance degradation for the application. The company needs a solution that offloads reporting queries to a read-only copy that stays synchronized within minutes, without impacting transactional performance. Which Azure SQL Database feature should they use?
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
Active geo-replication
Active geo-replication creates a readable secondary replica of the Azure SQL Database that can be used for read-only workloads like reporting dashboards. The secondary replica stays synchronized with the primary database using asynchronous replication, typically within seconds to minutes, ensuring near-real-time data without impacting transactional performance on the primary.
Key principle: Active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Auto-failover groups
Why it's wrong here
Failover groups enable automatic failover of multiple databases, but they do not primarily focus on offloading read traffic; the secondary in a failover group is not readable unless you also enable geo-replication.
- ✓
Active geo-replication
Why this is correct
Correct. Active geo-replication provides a readable secondary database that can serve reporting queries while the primary handles transactional workloads. The replication lag is typically within minutes.
Related concept
Active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases.
- ✗
Elastic pools
Why it's wrong here
Elastic pools allow multiple databases to share resources but do not create a separate read-only copy for offloading queries.
- ✗
Query Performance Insight
Why it's wrong here
Query Performance Insight is a monitoring tool that helps identify performance bottlenecks, but it does not offload queries to a replica.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse auto-failover groups with active geo-replication, not realizing that auto-failover groups do not make the secondary readable by default unless combined with active geo-replication, and that the primary purpose of failover groups is failover orchestration, not read offloading.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Active geo-replication uses asynchronous replication based on the Always On availability group technology, where the secondary database is continuously updated via transaction log shipping. The secondary can be in a different Azure region, providing both read scalability and disaster recovery. The replication lag is typically a few seconds but can vary based on network latency and transaction volume, making it suitable for reporting that tolerates minor delays.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases.
- It supports up to four secondary replicas.
- Replication lag is typically within minutes.
- Secondaries can be in the same or different Azure regions.
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
Active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases., then practise related DP-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — Active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Active geo-replication — Active geo-replication creates a readable secondary replica of the Azure SQL Database that can be used for read-only workloads like reporting dashboards. The secondary replica stays synchronized with the primary database using asynchronous replication, typically within seconds to minutes, ensuring near-real-time data without impacting transactional performance on the primary.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Review active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases., then practise related DP-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Active geo-replication creates readable secondary databases.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on DP-900
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company runs a global e-commerce application on Azure SQL Database. The application has a read-intensive workload with millions of users querying product details simultaneously. The database is experiencing high read latency during peak hours due to the volume of concurrent read requests. The company wants to scale read performance without changing the application code and without affecting write operations. Which Azure SQL Database feature should they implement?
medium- ✓ A.Active geo-replication
- B.Elastic pools
- C.In-memory OLTP
- D.Columnstore indexes
Why A: Active geo-replication creates readable secondary replicas of the Azure SQL Database in different Azure regions. By configuring read-only routing to these secondaries, the application can offload read queries from the primary database, scaling read performance without any code changes and without impacting write operations on the primary.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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