DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
Which TWO factors should you consider when choosing between Azure SQL Database and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines?
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
✓
Compatibility with on-premises SQL Server features
Option C is correct because SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines runs the full SQL Server engine on an IaaS VM, so it supports the broadest compatibility with on-premises SQL Server features (for example, cross-database queries, SQL Server Agent, CLR, FILESTREAM, and specific legacy features) that Azure SQL Database may not fully support in its PaaS model. Option E is correct because the two services differ fundamentally in administrative control: SQL Server on Azure VMs gives you OS-level and instance-level control (patching, configuration, sysadmin rights, custom settings), while Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS where Microsoft handles most administration and limits control. Options A, B, and D are not the deciding factors: auditing, geo-replication, and Transparent Data Encryption are capabilities available in both Azure SQL Database and SQL Server on Azure VMs, so they do not differentiate the two choices.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Need for database auditing
Why it's wrong here
Both platforms offer auditing, so it does not differentiate them; Azure SQL Database has built-in auditing while SQL Server on Azure VMs requires configuring SQL Server Audit yourself. It tempts because compliance needs often drive platform choice, yet the deciding factor is whether you need OS-level control, not auditing presence.
- ✗
Support for geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
Geo-replication exists in both: Azure SQL Database provides active geo-replication and failover groups, while SQL Server on Azure VMs uses Always On availability groups. It tempts because disaster recovery is a common selection criterion, but the genuine differentiator is whether you need instance-level features such as SQL Agent or cross-database queries.
- ✓
Compatibility with on-premises SQL Server features
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database runs a fixed, Microsoft-managed engine version, so features absent from that surface (for example certain CLR, cross-database or legacy constructs) are unavailable. SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines preserves full engine compatibility, satisfying workloads depending on on-premises feature parity.
- ✗
Need for Transparent Data Encryption
Why it's wrong here
Transparent Data Encryption is available on both platforms, so it cannot decide the choice; Azure SQL Database enables TDE by default, and SQL Server on Azure VMs supports it identically. It tempts because encryption requirements feel platform-specific, yet the real axis is whether you need full instance and OS control.
- ✓
Level of administrative control required
Why this is correct
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines grants full OS and instance control, including sysadmin rights, agent jobs, custom configurations and patching schedules. Azure SQL Database abstracts that layer, so the required degree of administrative control directly determines which platform suits the workload.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL VM
Key term
Data
Data is raw, unprocessed information, like numbers, words, or measurements, that can be stored, processed, and analyzed by computers.
Key term
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed relational database-as-a-service (DBaaS) in Microsoft Azure, based on the SQL Server engine, that handles scaling, backups, patching, and high availability automatically.
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