- A
Export a BACPAC file and import to Azure SQL Database
Why wrong: Incorrect. BACPAC export/import is offline, causing downtime as the database is locked during export.
- B
Use Azure Database Migration Service with online migration mode
Correct. Online migration via DMS synchronizes changes in near real-time, allowing the source to stay online until cutover, minimizing downtime.
- C
Use Azure Site Recovery to replicate the database
Why wrong: Incorrect. Azure Site Recovery is designed for disaster recovery of entire VMs, not for database schema and data migration with minimal downtime.
- D
Create a full database backup and restore to Azure SQL Database
Why wrong: Incorrect. Restoring a full backup is an offline process that requires the source database to be closed, causing significant downtime.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use Azure Database Migration Service with online migration mode. This is the correct approach because online migration mode leverages transactional replication to continuously synchronize ongoing changes from the source SQL Server to Azure SQL Database, allowing the source database to remain fully operational throughout the process. Only a brief cutover is required at the end, which keeps downtime to an absolute minimum. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of migration strategies and the distinction between offline and online methods. A common trap is choosing offline migration, which requires taking the source database offline for the entire duration, resulting in significant downtime. To remember this, think of the keyword “minimal downtime” as your cue for “online”—if the scenario demands near-zero interruption, always select the online migration mode.
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 plans to migrate a 500 GB SQL Server database from on-premises to Azure SQL Database. They require minimal downtime during the migration. Which approach 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
Use Azure Database Migration Service with online migration mode
Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) with online migration mode is the correct approach because it supports minimal-downtime migrations by continuously replicating ongoing changes from the source SQL Server to Azure SQL Database using the transactional replication technology. This allows the source database to remain operational during the migration, and only a brief cutover is needed at the end to switch applications to the target.
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.
- ✗
Export a BACPAC file and import to Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. BACPAC export/import is offline, causing downtime as the database is locked during export.
- ✓
Use Azure Database Migration Service with online migration mode
Why this is correct
Correct. Online migration via DMS synchronizes changes in near real-time, allowing the source to stay online until cutover, minimizing downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Azure Site Recovery to replicate the database
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Azure Site Recovery is designed for disaster recovery of entire VMs, not for database schema and data migration with minimal downtime.
- ✗
Create a full database backup and restore to Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Restoring a full backup is an offline process that requires the source database to be closed, causing significant downtime.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse offline backup/restore or BACPAC methods (which are simpler but cause downtime) with the online migration capability of DMS, assuming any Azure tool can achieve minimal downtime without understanding the underlying replication mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure DMS online migration uses a continuous sync mechanism based on SQL Server transactional replication, where the migration service captures changes from the source database's transaction log and applies them to the target. During the final cutover, the source database is set to read-only, any remaining log changes are applied, and the target is made the primary database. For a 500 GB database, the initial data load may take hours, but the replication phase can run for days without downtime, making it suitable for production environments with strict availability requirements.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Azure Database Migration Service with online migration mode — Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) with online migration mode is the correct approach because it supports minimal-downtime migrations by continuously replicating ongoing changes from the source SQL Server to Azure SQL Database using the transactional replication technology. This allows the source database to remain operational during the migration, and only a brief cutover is needed at the end to switch applications to the target.
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.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways 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 needs to migrate a large on-premises SQL Server database to Azure with minimal downtime. Which Azure service should they use for the migration?
easy- A.Azure SQL Database
- B.Azure Backup
- C.Azure Data Factory
- ✓ D.Azure Database Migration Service
Why D: Option B is correct because Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) is designed for online migrations with minimal downtime, supporting continuous data sync. Option A is wrong because Azure SQL Database is the target, not a migration tool. Option C is wrong because Azure Data Factory is for data integration, not database migration with minimal downtime. Option D is wrong because Azure Backup is for backup, not migration.
Variation 2. A company needs to migrate a large on-premises SQL Server database to Azure. The migration must have minimal downtime and support ongoing replication. Which Azure service should they use?
easy- A.Azure Data Box
- B.Azure Data Factory
- C.Azure SQL Database
- ✓ D.Azure Database Migration Service
Why D: Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) is designed for online migrations with minimal downtime, supporting ongoing replication from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database. It uses the Data Migration Assistant (DMA) for assessment and the Azure DMS for continuous sync, enabling near-zero downtime during cutover.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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