- A
Azure Blob Storage
Why wrong: Azure Blob Storage is optimized for storing large amounts of unstructured object data, but it does not support the SMB protocol natively. The application would need to be modified to use a different access method (e.g., REST API).
- B
Azure Files
Azure Files offers fully managed cloud file shares that support the SMB protocol. It can be mounted directly by on-premises or cloud applications, allowing the legacy application to access files without modification.
- C
Azure Queue Storage
Why wrong: Azure Queue Storage is a messaging service for storing and retrieving messages. It is not a file storage service and does not support SMB. It is used for decoupling components in distributed applications.
- D
Azure Disk Storage
Why wrong: Azure Disk Storage provides persistent block storage for Azure Virtual Machines. It is not a shared file service and is typically attached to a single VM, not suitable for multiple application instances requiring shared access.
Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Files. This is the correct choice because Azure Files provides fully managed SMB (Server Message Block) file shares in the cloud, supporting the SMB 3.0 protocol, which allows legacy applications to access configuration files over the network using standard file share paths without any code modifications. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of storage solutions for lift-and-shift migrations, often contrasting Azure Files with Blob Storage or Disk Storage as traps—remember that Blob Storage does not natively support SMB protocol. A common memory tip is to associate "SMB" with "Server Message Block" and think of Azure Files as a cloud-based file server that preserves the same drive mapping your application already uses, making it the only option for zero-code migrations.
DP-900 Practice Question: Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe considerations for working with non-relational data on azure. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 a legacy application that requires SMB (Server Message Block) file shares to store and access configuration files. They want to migrate this data to Azure without modifying the application. Which Azure storage solution should they use?
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 Files
Azure Files provides fully managed SMB (Server Message Block) file shares in the cloud, supporting the SMB 3.0 protocol. This allows the legacy application to access configuration files over the network using standard file share paths without any code changes, making it the ideal migration target for lift-and-shift scenarios.
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 Blob Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Blob Storage is optimized for storing large amounts of unstructured object data, but it does not support the SMB protocol natively. The application would need to be modified to use a different access method (e.g., REST API).
- ✓
Azure Files
Why this is correct
Azure Files offers fully managed cloud file shares that support the SMB protocol. It can be mounted directly by on-premises or cloud applications, allowing the legacy application to access files without modification.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure Queue Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Queue Storage is a messaging service for storing and retrieving messages. It is not a file storage service and does not support SMB. It is used for decoupling components in distributed applications.
- ✗
Azure Disk Storage
Why it's wrong here
Azure Disk Storage provides persistent block storage for Azure Virtual Machines. It is not a shared file service and is typically attached to a single VM, not suitable for multiple application instances requiring shared access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Blob Storage (object storage) with file shares, assuming it can serve SMB traffic, but Blob Storage does not natively support the SMB protocol and requires application modifications or third-party tools to emulate file shares.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Files supports both SMB 3.0 and NFS 4.1 protocols, but for SMB access, it requires port 445 to be open over the internet or a VPN/ExpressRoute for on-premises connectivity. The service uses Azure Storage accounts with a file share endpoint (e.g., \\storageaccount.file.core.windows.net\sharename), and supports features like Azure File Sync for hybrid caching and Active Directory integration for authentication, which is critical for legacy applications that rely on Windows ACLs.
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 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.
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.
- →
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DP-900 questions
982 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DP-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DP-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Describe core data concepts practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe core data concepts.
Describe an analytics workload on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe an analytics workload on Azure.
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Identify considerations for relational data on Azure.
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure.
DP-900 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 fundamentals.
DP-900 scenario practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 scenario.
DP-900 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DP-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure — This question tests Describe considerations for working with non-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 Files — Azure Files provides fully managed SMB (Server Message Block) file shares in the cloud, supporting the SMB 3.0 protocol. This allows the legacy application to access configuration files over the network using standard file share paths without any code changes, making it the ideal migration target for lift-and-shift scenarios.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.