- A
Azure SQL Database single database
Why wrong: Incorrect. Azure SQL Database single database does not support cross-database queries (unless using elastic queries) and lacks SQL Server Agent. It also imposes a different compatibility level and does not offer native VNet integration.
- B
Azure SQL Database elastic pool
Why wrong: Incorrect. An elastic pool is a collection of single databases and inherits the same limitations: no SQL Server Agent, no cross-database queries, and limited VNet support.
- C
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Correct. Azure SQL Managed Instance is designed for lift-and-shift migrations, offering high compatibility, SQL Server Agent, cross-database queries, and native VNet integration, all while being a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering.
- D
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Why wrong: Incorrect. SQL Server on Azure VMs provides full control and compatibility, but it is an IaaS option requiring management of the VM and SQL Server. The company wants minimal application changes and a managed service, making Managed Instance a better fit.
Quick Answer
The answer is Azure SQL Managed Instance. This is the correct choice because it delivers near 100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including full support for SQL Server Agent jobs and cross-database queries, while also providing native VNet integration—allowing you to migrate with minimal application changes. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the key differentiators between Azure SQL deployment options, with a common trap being to select Azure SQL Database, which lacks Agent job support and cross-database query capabilities. Remember that when the question emphasizes “minimal changes” and “native VNet,” Managed Instance is the only option that combines full SQL Server engine compatibility with network isolation. A useful memory tip: think of Managed Instance as “SQL Server in the cloud with the same toolbox”—if your on-premises instance uses Agent jobs or cross-database queries, you need the instance, not the database.
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 has an on-premises SQL Server 2016 database that uses SQL Server Agent jobs and cross-database queries across multiple databases. They want to migrate to Azure with minimal application changes, requiring native VNet integration and near 100% compatibility with the on-premises SQL Server instance. Which Azure 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 correct because it provides near 100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including support for SQL Server Agent jobs and cross-database queries, while offering native VNet integration. This minimizes application changes during migration, unlike other Azure SQL options that lack these features.
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.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database single database
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Azure SQL Database single database does not support cross-database queries (unless using elastic queries) and lacks SQL Server Agent. It also imposes a different compatibility level and does not offer native VNet integration.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database elastic pool
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. An elastic pool is a collection of single databases and inherits the same limitations: no SQL Server Agent, no cross-database queries, and limited VNet support.
- ✓
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Why this is correct
Correct. Azure SQL Managed Instance is designed for lift-and-shift migrations, offering high compatibility, SQL Server Agent, cross-database queries, and native VNet integration, all while being a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (Option D) thinking it offers the highest compatibility, but they overlook that Azure SQL Managed Instance provides the same compatibility with less management overhead and native VNet integration, making it the optimal choice for minimal application changes.
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 engine, enabling features like SQL Server Agent jobs, cross-database queries, and linked servers natively. Under the hood, it leverages a managed instance-level TDS endpoint and supports the same database engine as SQL Server 2016, ensuring compatibility with existing code. In real-world scenarios, this allows companies to migrate complex multi-database applications with minimal refactoring, avoiding the need to redesign for Azure SQL Database's limitations.
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
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.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure SQL Managed Instance — Azure SQL Managed Instance is correct because it provides near 100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including support for SQL Server Agent jobs and cross-database queries, while offering native VNet integration. This minimizes application changes during migration, unlike other Azure SQL options that lack these features.
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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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.
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