The answer is Azure SQL Database, because it is the fully managed PaaS service that automates patching and backups with minimal application changes. When you choose Azure SQL Database for fully managed migration, the platform handles all infrastructure maintenance, including automatic updates, high availability, and backup scheduling, so your team avoids administrative effort. On the DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between PaaS and IaaS database options; a common trap is selecting SQL Server on Azure VMs, which still requires manual patching and backup management. Remember that Azure SQL Database is the “set and forget” option for lift-and-shift migrations where you want the least operational overhead. A useful memory tip: “PaaS means patching as a service” — if you want zero admin for updates and backups, choose the PaaS database, not the VM.
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 that they want to migrate to Azure with minimal changes to the application. They need to use the least amount of administrative effort for patching and backups. Which Azure service should they choose?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure SQL Database
Option D is correct because Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS service that automates patching and backups. Option A is wrong because SQL Server on Azure VMs requires manual patching and backup management. Option B is wrong because Azure SQL Managed Instance also automates patching but is more complex than SQL Database. Option C is wrong because Azure Database for MySQL is a different database engine.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 Managed Instance
Why it's wrong here
Managed Instance also automates patching but has more overhead than SQL Database.
✓
Azure SQL Database
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database is PaaS, fully managed with automated patching and backups.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Why it's wrong here
IaaS requires manual patching and backup management.
✗
Azure Database for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
MySQL is a different database engine, would require application changes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-900 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure SQL Database — Option D is correct because Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS service that automates patching and backups. Option A is wrong because SQL Server on Azure VMs requires manual patching and backup management. Option B is wrong because Azure SQL Managed Instance also automates patching but is more complex than SQL Database. Option C is wrong because Azure Database for MySQL is a different database engine.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DP-900 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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