DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure

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 Database (Single Database)

  Why it's wrong here

  Azure SQL Database as a single database also lacks SQL Server Agent and linked servers, and its elastic query features are limited compared to true cross-database queries. This forces application changes to handle scheduling and external data connections, and it does not provide instance-level scope for jobs or maintenance tasks. Therefore, it is unsuitable for a simple lift-and-shift migration of a 2 TB database with existing dependencies.

  When this WOULD be correct

  A company needs a fully managed PaaS service for a new application with a single database under 100 GB, no dependency on SQL Server Agent, linked servers, or cross-database queries, and wants minimal management overhead.

• ✗

  Azure SQL Database (Elastic Pool)

  Why it's wrong here

  Azure SQL Database in an Elastic Pool shares the same core limitations as a single database: it does not support SQL Server Agent, linked servers, or cross-database queries that span the same instance. Migrating the workload would require rewriting job scheduling and dependency logic, and the pool's shared eCPU and DTU resources can also introduce noisy-neighbor performance variability that is not present on a dedicated instance.

  When this WOULD be correct

  A company needs to manage multiple databases with varying and unpredictable usage patterns, seeking cost-effective resource sharing and automatic scaling, without requiring instance-level features like Agent jobs or linked servers.

• ✓

  Azure SQL Managed Instance

  Why this is correct

  Azure SQL Managed Instance is the recommended destination for a 2 TB on-premises SQL Server database because it provides near-100% T-SQL surface compatibility, including SQL Server Agent, linked servers, Service Broker, and cross-database queries. Unlike Azure SQL Database, it supports instance-scoped features without requiring application changes, and it also handles backups, patching, and high availability automatically as a fully managed PaaS service.

• ✗

  SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machine

  Why it's wrong here

  SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines is an IaaS offering that does include SQL Server Agent and linked servers, so it could technically run the same code. However, you are responsible for installing and managing the operating system, SQL Server software, backups, patching, and high availability, which contradicts a fully managed solution. It also requires more administrative overhead and does not provide the same automated maintenance as Azure SQL Managed Instance.

  When this WOULD be correct

  This option would be correct if the company requires full control over the operating system, needs to install custom software or third-party tools, or must run a version of SQL Server not available in Azure SQL Managed Instance (e.g., older versions like SQL Server 2008).

Option-by-option analysis

Why each answer is right or wrong

Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The DP-900 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.

Analysis generated from the official DP-900blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”

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