DP-300 · Question #393
DP-300 Question #393: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation
Azure SQL Solution — Hotspot Explanation The correct answers are: Project1 → SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines Project2 → Azure SQL Managed Instance in the Business Critical service tier --- Project1 — SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines Why this is correct The decisi
Question
Hotspot Question You are working on two projects named Project1 and Project2 that will each migrate an on- premises app to Azure. Project1 must meet the following requirements: - Have access to the operating system of the database server that hosts the app. - Have 25 TB of storage. Project2 must meet the following requirements: - Have change data capture (CDC) enabled. - Support instance-level SQL auditing. - Support managed backups. - Have 10 TB of storage. - Offload reports. You need to recommend an Azure SQL solution for the projects. The solution must minimize costs. What should you include in the recommendation for each project? To answer, select the appropriate options in the answer area. NOTE: Each correct selection is worth one point. Answer:
Options
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Explanation
Azure SQL Solution — Hotspot Explanation
The correct answers are:
- Project1 → SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
- Project2 → Azure SQL Managed Instance in the Business Critical service tier
Project1 — SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Why this is correct
The decisive requirement is OS-level access. SQL Server on Azure VMs is an IaaS offering — you manage the full VM, including the operating system. This is the only option in the list that grants OS access.
The 25 TB storage requirement is also satisfied: Azure VMs support attaching multiple managed disks, allowing very large storage configurations (easily exceeding 25 TB).
Why the alternatives are wrong
| Option | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Azure SQL Database | PaaS — no OS access. Microsoft manages the underlying OS entirely. |
| SQL MI (General Purpose) | PaaS — no OS access. Managed Instance abstracts the OS away. |
| SQL MI (Business Critical) | Same as above — still PaaS, no OS access. |
| AKS | A container orchestration platform, not a managed SQL solution. Not designed for this use case. |
Key concept: IaaS (VM) vs. PaaS (SQL Database, SQL MI). Only IaaS gives you OS control.
Project2 — Azure SQL Managed Instance (Business Critical tier)
Why this is correct
Project2 has two critical discriminating requirements:
1. Instance-level SQL auditing This is a SQL Managed Instance–specific feature. Azure SQL Database supports server-level (logical server) and database-level auditing — but the term "instance-level auditing" maps directly to SQL MI's architecture, which mirrors an on-premises SQL Server instance. This rules out Azure SQL Database entirely.
2. Offload reports The Business Critical tier includes a built-in read-only replica (Always On Availability Group secondary) at no additional cost. This replica can serve reporting workloads, directly satisfying the "offload reports" requirement without provisioning extra infrastructure — minimizing cost.
Other requirements (CDC, managed backups, 10 TB storage) are all supported by SQL MI Business Critical.
Why the alternatives are wrong
| Option | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Azure SQL Database | Does not support instance-level auditing. CDC was added recently but "instance-level" is a SQL MI concept. |
| SQL MI – General Purpose | Supports instance-level auditing and CDC, but has no built-in read replica for offloading reports. Adding a separate read scale-out would cost more. |
| SQL Server on Azure VMs | Would work technically, but requires you to manage the OS, patching, backups manually — not "managed backups." Also higher operational cost/effort than PaaS. |
| AKS | Not a SQL offering. Irrelevant here. |
Why not General Purpose to minimize costs?
General Purpose is cheaper per vCore, but to offload reports you'd need additional infrastructure. Business Critical includes the readable secondary as part of the tier — making it the more cost-effective choice given the requirements.
Summary
| Project | Correct Answer | Deciding Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Project1 | SQL Server on Azure VMs | OS access (IaaS only) |
| Project2 | SQL MI – Business Critical | Instance-level auditing + built-in read replica for reports |
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