Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304) Practice Test

Which Azure service is cost-effective for importing large amounts of data to Azure from an on-premises file server?

1. Azure StorSimple

2. Azure Stack

3. Azure Data Box

4. Azure Batch

The correct answer is: Azure Data Box

Azure Data Box is designed specifically for scenarios where large amounts of data need to be transferred to Azure quickly and efficiently, making it the most cost-effective solution for importing data from on-premises file servers. This service allows users to securely transfer terabytes or petabytes of data without relying solely on the internet, which can be time-consuming and may incur high costs depending on bandwidth and data transfer volumes. Using Data Box involves shipping a physical appliance to an organization’s location, where data can be copied onto the device. Once data transfer is complete, the device is sent back to Microsoft, where the data is then uploaded directly into the Azure storage account. This process is ideal for scenarios where internet connectivity is limited or bandwidth is a concern, enabling organizations to avoid long wait times and the costs associated with transferring large quantities of data over the network. Other services do not offer the same tailored data ingestion capabilities. For instance, Azure StorSimple is a hybrid cloud storage solution that integrates on-premises and cloud storage, but it is not specifically designed for bulk data transfers. Azure Stack is aimed at providing a hybrid cloud solution that allows you to run Azure services in your own data center, rather than directly focused on data importation. Azure Batch is a service that enables