Question 9 of 982

Identify considerations for relational data on Azure →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct approach is to use Azure Data Migration Service with continuous sync from on-premises to Azure SQL Database, then cut over. This method is ideal for migrating SQL Server to Azure SQL with minimal downtime because it leverages transactional replication to keep the source database fully operational while changes are continuously synchronized to the target. During business hours, when the Sales table is actively written to, this online migration ensures no interruption to users until the final cutover, which typically results in only seconds of downtime. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of online versus offline migration strategies; a common trap is choosing a bulk copy tool like BCP or a simple backup-and-restore, which would require taking the database offline. Remember: if the question emphasizes “actively written to” and “minimal downtime,” think continuous sync. A handy memory tip is “DMS for zero-downtime sync”—the key is that DMS keeps the source live until you’re ready to flip the switch.

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 database with a 1 TB 'Sales' table containing historical data. They want to move this table to Azure SQL Database with minimal downtime. The table is actively written to during business hours. Which approach should they use?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
Use Azure Data Migration Service with continuous sync from on-premises to Azure SQL Database, then cut over
Correct. This online approach replicates changes continuously, allowing a short cutover window with minimal downtime.
B
Use the Azure SQL Database migration wizard to perform an offline migration over the weekend
Why wrong: Incorrect. Offline migration requires taking the source database offline, which causes downtime during the migration.
C
Export the table as a .bacpac file and import it into Azure SQL Database during off-hours
Why wrong: Incorrect. Exporting to .bacpac is an offline operation that requires the source to be idle or can cause consistency issues if writes occur.
D
Use SQL Server Management Studio's 'Deploy Database to Azure SQL Database' wizard
Why wrong: Incorrect. This is an offline migration method that does not support continuous replication and will incur significant downtime.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Use Azure Data Migration Service with continuous sync from on-premises to Azure SQL Database, then cut over

Azure Data Migration Service (DMS) with continuous sync is the correct approach because it supports online migration with minimal downtime. It uses transactional replication to keep the on-premises SQL Server database synchronized with Azure SQL Database while the source remains fully operational, allowing a controlled cutover with only seconds of downtime.

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.

✓
Use Azure Data Migration Service with continuous sync from on-premises to Azure SQL Database, then cut over
Why this is correct
Correct. This online approach replicates changes continuously, allowing a short cutover window with minimal downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use the Azure SQL Database migration wizard to perform an offline migration over the weekend
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Offline migration requires taking the source database offline, which causes downtime during the migration.
✗
Export the table as a .bacpac file and import it into Azure SQL Database during off-hours
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Exporting to .bacpac is an offline operation that requires the source to be idle or can cause consistency issues if writes occur.
✗
Use SQL Server Management Studio's 'Deploy Database to Azure SQL Database' wizard
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This is an offline migration method that does not support continuous replication and will incur significant downtime.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often assume offline methods (bacpac, wizard) are sufficient for large tables, underestimating the downtime required for a 1 TB dataset, and fail to recognize that 'minimal downtime' explicitly requires an online migration with continuous sync.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Azure DMS online migration leverages SQL Server's transactional replication or Log Shipping to capture ongoing changes from the source database's transaction log. During the cutover phase, DMS applies any remaining log backups to the target, then switches the application connection string to Azure SQL Database, typically achieving downtime under 5 minutes. This approach is critical for business-critical systems where even an hour of downtime is unacceptable.

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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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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: Use Azure Data Migration Service with continuous sync from on-premises to Azure SQL Database, then cut over — Azure Data Migration Service (DMS) with continuous sync is the correct approach because it supports online migration with minimal downtime. It uses transactional replication to keep the on-premises SQL Server database synchronized with Azure SQL Database while the source remains fully operational, allowing a controlled cutover with only seconds of downtime.

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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