Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304) Practice Test

What is the recommended solution to minimize latency when accessing an Azure SQL Database from Azure virtual machines after forced tunneling is enabled?

1. Virtual Network (VNET) service endpoints

2. Azure virtual machines that run Microsoft SQL Server servers

3. Azure SQL Database Managed Instance

4. Always On availability groups

The correct answer is: Virtual Network (VNET) service endpoints

Minimizing latency when accessing an Azure SQL Database from Azure virtual machines, especially in scenarios involving forced tunneling, can be effectively achieved using Virtual Network (VNET) service endpoints. These service endpoints enhance the connectivity between Azure services and your virtual network by extending the Azure VNET's private address space to the Azure service, which in this case is the Azure SQL Database. When VNET service endpoints are enabled, traffic between the Azure VMs and Azure SQL Database stays within the Azure backbone network, leading to lower latency and improved performance, as it eliminates the need for data to traverse the public internet. Other options, although relevant to Azure services, do not specifically address the need to reduce latency in the context described. For instance, running Microsoft SQL Server on Azure VMs does not inherently minimize latency to Azure SQL Databases and may involve additional configuration or management overhead. Azure SQL Database Managed Instance provides some benefits, but it doesn't directly minimize latency the same way VNET service endpoints do. Always On availability groups are primarily used for high availability and disaster recovery rather than directly impacting access speed to Azure SQL Databases. Hence, choosing VNET service endpoints is the optimal solution for this scenario.