Quick Answer
The answer is active geo-replication. This feature creates readable secondary replicas of your Azure SQL Database in different Azure regions, allowing users to query those secondaries for low-latency reads while all writes remain strongly consistent in a single primary region. For the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to balance global read performance with write consistency in a relational database context. A common trap is confusing active geo-replication with failover groups, but remember that failover groups focus on automated failover and disaster recovery, not on providing multiple readable endpoints for global read traffic. Another trap is jumping to Cosmos DB with multi-master, but that is a NoSQL solution, and the question specifies Azure SQL Database, which is relational. For a quick memory tip, think "active geo-replication = read anywhere, write in one place."
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 multinational corporation is deploying a global application using Azure SQL Database. They need to ensure that users in different geographic regions experience low latency reads. The application can tolerate slightly stale data for reads, but writes must be strongly consistent and must occur in a single primary region. Which feature should they implement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Azure Cosmos DB with multi-master
Why wrong: Cosmos DB is NoSQL and multi-master allows writes in multiple regions, which is not desired.
Active geo-replication
Active geo-replication provides readable secondaries in different regions for low-latency reads.
Failover groups
Why wrong: Failover groups focus on disaster recovery, not read performance.
Read scale-out
Why wrong: Read scale-out uses local replicas, not global.
Answer choices
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
Option C is correct because active geo-replication allows creating readable secondaries in other regions for low-latency reads, while writes go to the primary. Option A is wrong because failover groups provide automatic failover but not necessarily low-latency reads from multiple regions. Option B is wrong because Cosmos DB with multi-master is NoSQL and not relational. Option D is wrong because read scale-out uses local replicas, not global.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Cosmos DB with multi-master
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB is NoSQL and multi-master allows writes in multiple regions, which is not desired.
Active geo-replication
Why this is correct
Active geo-replication provides readable secondaries in different regions for low-latency reads.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Failover groups
Why it's wrong here
Failover groups focus on disaster recovery, not read performance.
Read scale-out
Why it's wrong here
Read scale-out uses local replicas, not global.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
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
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-900 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Active geo-replication — Option C is correct because active geo-replication allows creating readable secondaries in other regions for low-latency reads, while writes go to the primary. Option A is wrong because failover groups provide automatic failover but not necessarily low-latency reads from multiple regions. Option B is wrong because Cosmos DB with multi-master is NoSQL and not relational. Option D is wrong because read scale-out uses local replicas, not global.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-900 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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