Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304) Practice Test

When migrating SQL Server instances to Azure, which service would best meet high availability, automatic backups, and other requirements listed?

1. SQL Server Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) virtual machine

2. Azure SQL Database

3. SQL Server in Docker containers on Azure Kubernetes Service

4. Azure SQL Database Managed Instance

The correct answer is: Azure SQL Database Managed Instance

Opting for Azure SQL Database Managed Instance is particularly suitable for organizations migrating SQL Server instances to Azure that require high availability, automatic backups, and a comprehensive set of features similar to on-premises SQL Server. Azure SQL Database Managed Instance offers full SQL Server compatibility while providing built-in high availability through the Microsoft Azure platform. It ensures that data is automatically backed up and managed without the need for manual intervention, thus satisfying the requirement for automatic backups. Additionally, it facilitates features like point-in-time restore, geo-replication, and automatic failover, which are crucial for enterprises that cannot afford downtime and need robust disaster recovery solutions. This option also provides a straightforward migration path with minimal changes required to your existing SQL Server applications. Since it supports native SQL Server features such as SQL Server Agent and linked servers, it allows for a seamless transition while benefiting from the cloud advantages of scalability, security, and reduced administrative overhead. In contrast, using SQL Server Infrastructure-as-a-Service on virtual machines requires more manual setup and management to achieve a similar level of availability and backup capabilities. Similarly, SQL Server in Docker containers on Azure Kubernetes Service would necessitate additional configurations and monitoring to ensure high availability, not to mention it may introduce complexities around backup management. Azure SQL Database