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Difficulty: MediumRelational Data Storage Solutions

An organization is planning to migrate an on-premises payroll application to Azure. The application database relies on SQL Server Agent for scheduled data reconciliation and executes cross-database queries. The database must be deployed in a secure environment with native Azure Virtual Network (VNet) integration. To meet disaster recovery requirements, all backups must survive a regional outage, and the database administration team must minimize administrative effort for operating system and database engine patching. Which Azure SQL deployment option should you recommend?

  1. Azure SQL Managed InstanceAnswer
  2. B
    Azure SQL Database single database using geo-redundant backup storage
  3. C
    SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines with transaction logs hosted on Standard HDD storage
  4. D
    Azure SQL Database Elastic Pool using locally redundant storage (LRS) for backups

Answer

Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Managed Instance is the correct recommendation because it provides near-100% compatibility with the on-premises SQL Server database engine, including native support for SQL Server Agent and cross-database queries. As a fully managed Platform as a Service (PaaS), it handles operating system and database engine patching automatically, integrates natively with an Azure Virtual Network, and supports geo-redundant backup storage to ensure backups survive a regional outage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the technical and administrative requirements of the database migration scenario.
Requirements identified: SQL Server Agent support, cross-database query support, native VNet integration, regional backup resiliency (survive regional outage), and minimal administrative overhead (PaaS model).
Understanding constraints is necessary to filter out non-compliant Azure database services.
2
Evaluate the management overhead (IaaS vs. PaaS) requirement.
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines is eliminated because it is an IaaS solution requiring the administration team to manage operating system and database patching.
The organization specified a need to minimize administrative patching efforts.
3
Compare PaaS options against legacy database feature and backup requirements.
Azure SQL Database (both single database and elastic pool configurations) is eliminated because it lacks native support for SQL Server Agent and cross-database queries. Additionally, choosing locally redundant storage (LRS) fails the requirement for regional resilience.
Selecting a service tier that lacks native support for required legacy features would lead to deployment failure or complex, unmanageable workarounds.

Key Concept

Selecting the appropriate Azure SQL deployment option based on legacy feature support, network requirements, and administrative overhead.
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Relational Data Storage Solutions

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