The correct answer is Active Geo-Replication, which creates a readable secondary replica to offload read queries without impacting write performance. This feature works by asynchronously replicating data to a secondary database in the same or a different Azure region, allowing read-only traffic to be directed to that copy while the primary continues handling writes. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to scale reads separately from writes, a common real-world need for transactional systems under heavy catalog traffic. A frequent trap is confusing this with Read Scale-Out, which is only available in the Premium and Business Critical service tiers and uses a built-in secondary, not a geo-replicated copy. Another trap is selecting Failover Groups, which are designed for disaster recovery and automatic failover, not read offloading. Remember the memory tip: “Geo for read offload, Failover for failover” — Active Geo-Replication gives you a separate readable copy anywhere, while Failover Groups keep you online during a disaster.
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.
An e-commerce company runs a transactional database on Azure SQL Database. During peak shopping seasons, they experience performance degradation due to high read traffic on product catalog tables. The company wants to offload read queries to a read-only copy of the database without affecting write performance. What should they implement?
Configure Active Geo-Replication to create a readable secondary replica.
Active Geo-Replication provides readable secondaries that can handle read-only queries.
B
Enable Read Scale-Out on the database.
Why wrong: Read Scale-Out is a feature of Azure SQL Database that uses a built-in secondary; however, for cross-region reads, Active Geo-Replication is more appropriate.
C
Implement Azure Cache for Redis to cache product catalog data.
Why wrong: Caching reduces load but does not provide a read-only copy of the database.
D
Create a failover group with a secondary region.
Why wrong: Failover groups are for disaster recovery, not for distributing read load.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure Active Geo-Replication to create a readable secondary replica.
Option A is correct because Active Geo-Replication allows creating readable secondary replicas in the same or different region. Option B (Failover groups) is for disaster recovery, not read scaling. Option C (Read Scale-Out) is a feature of Azure SQL Database that automatically routes read queries to a secondary replica, but it is not available in all service tiers; the correct feature name is Active Geo-Replication for readable secondaries. Option D (Azure Cache for Redis) adds caching but not a read-only copy of the 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.
✓
Configure Active Geo-Replication to create a readable secondary replica.
Why this is correct
Active Geo-Replication provides readable secondaries that can handle read-only queries.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Read Scale-Out on the database.
Why it's wrong here
Read Scale-Out is a feature of Azure SQL Database that uses a built-in secondary; however, for cross-region reads, Active Geo-Replication is more appropriate.
✗
Implement Azure Cache for Redis to cache product catalog data.
Why it's wrong here
Caching reduces load but does not provide a read-only copy of the database.
✗
Create a failover group with a secondary region.
Why it's wrong here
Failover groups are for disaster recovery, not for distributing read load.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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 which DP-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Configure Active Geo-Replication to create a readable secondary replica. — Option A is correct because Active Geo-Replication allows creating readable secondary replicas in the same or different region. Option B (Failover groups) is for disaster recovery, not read scaling. Option C (Read Scale-Out) is a feature of Azure SQL Database that automatically routes read queries to a secondary replica, but it is not available in all service tiers; the correct feature name is Active Geo-Replication for readable secondaries. Option D (Azure Cache for Redis) adds caching but not a read-only copy of the database.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Identify which DP-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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