The answer is Azure Database Migration Service, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Data Box. Azure Database Migration Service is the primary tool for migrating on-premises SQL Server to Azure, as it orchestrates minimal-downtime migrations by leveraging the Data Migration Assistant for schema assessment and a self-hosted integration runtime for seamless data movement. Azure Data Factory supports ongoing data replication and transformation through its copy activity and integration runtimes, while Azure Data Box handles large-scale offline data transfers when network bandwidth is limited. On the DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between migration-specific services and general data movement tools; a common trap is confusing Azure Data Factory with DMS, but remember that DMS is purpose-built for database schema and data migration, whereas Data Factory is better suited for ETL and bulk copy. For a quick memory tip, think of the three services as “DMS for the database, Factory for the flow, Box for the bulk.”
DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. 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 Azure services can be used to move data from on-premises SQL Server to Azure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure Database Migration Service
Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) is correct because it is specifically designed for migrating databases from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance with minimal downtime, using the Data Migration Assistant (DMA) for assessment and a self-hosted integration runtime for data movement.
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.
✓
Azure Database Migration Service
Why this is correct
DMS is specifically designed for migrating databases to Azure with minimal downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Azure Data Factory
Why this is correct
Data Factory can copy data from on-premises to Azure using integration runtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Analysis Services
Why it's wrong here
Analysis Services is for data modeling, not data migration.
✗
Azure Synapse Serverless SQL pool
Why it's wrong here
Serverless SQL pool queries data; it does not move data.
✓
Azure Data Box
Why this is correct
Data Box is a physical device for offline transfer of large volumes of data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Azure Analysis Services (a BI modeling tool) or Azure Synapse Serverless SQL pool (a query-only service) with data migration tools, when only services that actively move or copy data from on-premises to Azure are correct.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Database Migration Service uses the Microsoft Data Migration Assistant (DMA) to assess compatibility issues and then orchestrates the migration using a self-hosted integration runtime that connects to the on-premises SQL Server over TCP/IP port 1433. Azure Data Factory can also move data via its copy activity, which uses the same self-hosted integration runtime to read from SQL Server and write to Azure SQL Database or Blob Storage. Azure Data Box is a physical appliance for offline data transfer, ideal for large datasets (over 40 TB) where network bandwidth is limited, using SMB/NFS protocols to copy data to the device, which is then shipped to Azure.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
Describe core data concepts — This question tests Describe core data concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Database Migration Service — Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) is correct because it is specifically designed for migrating databases from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance with minimal downtime, using the Data Migration Assistant (DMA) for assessment and a self-hosted integration runtime for data movement.
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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Question Discussion
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