Active Geo-Replication is the correct choice because it provides a readable secondary replica in a different Azure region, with data synchronized within seconds via asynchronous replication, perfectly meeting both disaster recovery and read-only reporting needs. This feature allows the secondary to be queried directly for reporting without impacting the primary database’s performance, making it ideal for scenarios where you need a single readable secondary for low-latency read workloads. On the DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Active Geo-Replication and failover groups—a common trap is choosing failover groups, which also support readable secondaries but are designed for automated failover of multiple databases, not just a single readable secondary for reporting. Remember the memory tip: “Active Geo-Replication gives you a readable copy for reports, while failover groups handle the failover for multiple databases.”
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. 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 company uses Azure SQL Database for a sales application. They need to replicate the database to a secondary region for disaster recovery. The secondary should be readable for reporting purposes and data should be synchronized within seconds. Which feature should they use?
Active Geo-Replication provides a readable secondary replica that stays synchronized within seconds, enabling both DR and read-scale out.
B
Auto-failover groups
Why wrong: Auto-failover groups also provide readable secondaries and automatic failover, but the primary purpose is automatic failover; the question emphasizes a readable secondary for reporting, which can be achieved with Active Geo-Replication alone.
C
Point-in-time restore
Why wrong: Point-in-time restore is a backup feature that allows restoring a database to a previous point in time, not a continuous replication solution.
D
Long-term retention
Why wrong: Long-term retention retains backups for extended periods for compliance, not for real-time read replicas.
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 is the correct choice because it creates a readable secondary replica in a different Azure region, with data synchronized within seconds via asynchronous replication. This meets the requirement for both disaster recovery and read-only reporting access, as the secondary can be queried directly without impacting the primary database.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Active Geo-Replication
Why this is correct
Active Geo-Replication provides a readable secondary replica that stays synchronized within seconds, enabling both DR and read-scale out.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Auto-failover groups
Why it's wrong here
Auto-failover groups also provide readable secondaries and automatic failover, but the primary purpose is automatic failover; the question emphasizes a readable secondary for reporting, which can be achieved with Active Geo-Replication alone.
✗
Point-in-time restore
Why it's wrong here
Point-in-time restore is a backup feature that allows restoring a database to a previous point in time, not a continuous replication solution.
✗
Long-term retention
Why it's wrong here
Long-term retention retains backups for extended periods for compliance, not for real-time read replicas.
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, assuming the group feature provides faster synchronization, when in fact both use the same asynchronous replication and the key difference is that Auto-failover groups add automatic failover and endpoint management, not lower latency.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Active Geo-Replication uses SQL Server's asynchronous replication technology, where the primary database continuously streams transaction log records to up to four readable secondaries across regions. The secondary databases are maintained with a recovery point objective (RPO) of typically a few seconds, and they support read-only queries using snapshot isolation, making them ideal for reporting workloads without blocking replication.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Active Geo-Replication — Active Geo-Replication is the correct choice because it creates a readable secondary replica in a different Azure region, with data synchronized within seconds via asynchronous replication. This meets the requirement for both disaster recovery and read-only reporting access, as the secondary can be queried directly without impacting the primary database.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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