Question 32 of 820
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Which Azure Blob Storage Tier for Archived Data That Must Be Retrieved in Seconds?
A company must archive customer correspondence PDFs that are rarely accessed but must be retained for seven years. The documents must be available for read within seconds if requested. Which Azure Blob Storage access tier should be used to minimize storage cost while meeting the availability requirement?
Quick Answer
The answer is the Cool access tier. This is the correct choice because it provides the same millisecond-scale retrieval latency as the Hot tier, ensuring the archived customer correspondence PDFs are available for read within seconds, while offering significantly lower storage costs for data that is rarely accessed. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of how Azure Blob Storage tiers balance cost against access frequency and latency requirements; a common trap is assuming that all archived data must go to the Cold or Archive tiers, which have higher retrieval times or costs for immediate access. The key distinction is that Cool tier is designed for data that is infrequently accessed but still needs instant availability, making it the optimal choice over Hot for minimizing storage cost without sacrificing retrieval speed. A helpful memory tip: think of "Cool" as the middle ground—it keeps your data "cool" in storage but still "hot" on retrieval.
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see 'archived' and immediately choose the Archive tier, forgetting the 'within seconds' availability requirement that disqualifies it.
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
✓
Cool
The Cool tier is optimal because it balances low storage cost with high availability for data that is infrequently accessed but must be retrievable within seconds. It offers the same low-latency retrieval as the Hot tier (milliseconds) but at a lower storage price, making it ideal for archived correspondence that still requires immediate read access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hot
Why it's wrong here
Hot tier is for frequently accessed data and has higher storage cost, which is not needed here.
- ✓
Cool
Why this is correct
Cool tier is for infrequent access with immediate availability and lower storage cost than Hot.
- ✗
Archive
Why it's wrong here
Archive tier offers the lowest storage cost but retrieval can take hours, violating the 'within seconds' requirement.
- ✗
Premium
Why it's wrong here
Premium tier provides low-latency for high transaction volumes but is very expensive and not intended for archival.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on DP-900
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company stores backup files in Azure Blob Storage. The backups are taken daily and must be retained for 7 years. The backup files are rarely accessed after the first month. The company wants to minimize storage costs while ensuring that backups are available for retrieval within 5 hours when needed. Which storage tier should they use after the first month?
medium- A.Archive tier
- ✓ B.Cool tier
- C.Hot tier
- D.Premium tier
Why B: The Cool tier is the most cost-effective option that meets the 5-hour retrieval requirement. Archive tier retrieval can take up to 15 hours, which exceeds the requirement. Hot tier and Premium tier are more expensive and designed for frequent access, not long-term retention with minimal access.
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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