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Difficulty: MediumAzure Storage Accounts, Blob, Disk, Files, and Storage Tiers

An organization runs a database on an Azure Virtual Machine (IaaS). The organization needs to store the virtual machine's active database files on high-performance, persistent block storage. Additionally, they must store daily database backups that are rarely accessed but must be available for immediate restoration if a database failure occurs. Which storage configuration meets these requirements while minimizing costs?

  1. A
    Use Azure Managed Disks for the active database files, and the Archive access tier in Azure Blob Storage for the backups.
  2. B
    Request Microsoft to manage the database engine installation and updates on the virtual machine's disks, and use the Cool access tier in Azure Blob Storage for the backups.
  3. Use Azure Managed Disks for the active database files, and the Cool access tier in Azure Blob Storage for the backups.Answer
  4. D
    Purchase the physical solid-state drives (SSDs) hosting the virtual machine disks upfront as a Capital Expenditure (CapEx), and use the Cool access tier in Azure Blob Storage for the backups.

Answer

Use Azure Managed Disks for the active database files, and the Cool access tier in Azure Blob Storage for the backups.
The configuration using Azure Managed Disks for the active database files and the Cool access tier in Azure Blob Storage for the backups satisfies all constraints. Azure Managed Disks offer dedicated block storage optimized for virtual machine operating systems and databases. The Cool access tier offers cheaper storage than the Hot tier for data stored for at least 30 days while keeping the backups online for immediate access during restorations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the appropriate storage service for running Virtual Machine database files.
Azure Managed Disks are persistent block storage volumes managed by Azure and designed for use with Azure Virtual Machines, providing the high-performance necessary for active database workloads.
Virtual machines require block storage (Managed Disks) rather than object storage (Blob Storage) for OS and active application files.
2
Identify the backup access requirements and choose the correct storage tier.
The Cool access tier in Azure Blob Storage is optimal for storing data that is infrequently accessed (backups) but requires immediate, millisecond-level access when a restore is needed.
The Archive tier is offline and requires hours to rehydrate data, making it unsuitable for immediate restore needs, while the Hot tier is too expensive for infrequently accessed backups.
3
Verify cloud responsibility and expenditure models.
Azure VMs follow the IaaS model where the customer manages the operating system and applications, and billing follows the OpEx model.
This rules out solutions that misclassify responsibilities or cloud cost models.

Key Concept

Azure storage services and Blob access tiers
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Topics

Azure Storage Accounts, Blob, Disk, Files, and Storage Tiers

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