Quick Answer
The answer is elastic pool, single database, and managed instance. These three are the valid deployment options for Azure SQL Database, each serving different workload patterns: a single database is an isolated, fully managed database ideal for modern cloud applications; an elastic pool allows multiple databases to share a fixed set of resources, optimizing cost and performance for variable usage; and a managed instance provides near-100% SQL Server compatibility with built-in high availability, making it a strong choice for lift-and-shift migrations. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish PaaS-based Azure SQL offerings from IaaS or separate services—common traps include confusing SQL Server on a virtual machine or Azure Synapse Analytics (formerly SQL Data Warehouse) as deployment options. A helpful memory tip is to remember the acronym SEM: Single database, Elastic pool, and Managed instance are the three core Azure SQL Database deployment options, while anything involving VMs or dedicated warehouses belongs to a different service category.
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.
Which THREE are valid deployment options for Azure SQL Database?
Managed instance
Managed instance is a deployment option near 100% compatibility.
Single database
Single database is a deployment option.
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machine
Why wrong: This is IaaS, not a deployment option of Azure SQL Database.
Elastic pool
Elastic pool is a deployment option for multitenant scenarios.
SQL Data Warehouse
Why wrong: SQL Data Warehouse is a separate service.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Managed instance
Options B, C, and E are correct. Single database, elastic pool, and managed instance are all deployment options for Azure SQL Database. Option A is wrong because virtual machine is not a deployment option for Azure SQL Database; it's SQL Server on VM. Option D is wrong because SQL Data Warehouse is a separate service (now Synapse).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Managed instance
Why this is correct
Managed instance is a deployment option near 100% compatibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Single database
Why this is correct
Single database is a deployment option.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machine
Why it's wrong here
This is IaaS, not a deployment option of Azure SQL Database.
Elastic pool
Why this is correct
Elastic pool is a deployment option for multitenant scenarios.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SQL Data Warehouse
Why it's wrong here
SQL Data Warehouse is a separate service.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
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FAQ
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..
The correct answer is: Managed instance — Options B, C, and E are correct. Single database, elastic pool, and managed instance are all deployment options for Azure SQL Database. Option A is wrong because virtual machine is not a deployment option for Azure SQL Database; it's SQL Server on VM. Option D is wrong because SQL Data Warehouse is a separate service (now Synapse).
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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