AZ-305 Question 210
Single answerYour organization runs a Windows-based two-tier line-of-business application with an IIS front end and a Microsoft SQL Server database on-premises. The team wants to migrate to Azure to reduce the overhead of managing OS and database updates but must avoid major code refactoring. The application heavily relies on T-SQL features that need to remain intact. Which of the following database services should you recommend to meet these requirements?
- A
Migrate the database to Azure Virtual Machines running SQL Server
- B
Migrate the database to a container hosted in Azure Container Instances
- C
Migrate the database to Azure SQL Managed Instance
- D
Migrate the database to Azure SQL Database
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Azure SQL Managed Instance is typically recommended for those wanting to reduce infrastructure management overhead without extensive code refactoring. It provides high compatibility for SQL Server features, eases maintenance, and helps modernize the database tier without a full re-architecture. For more details, refer to Microsoft documentation on Azure SQL Managed Instance (https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/).
- A. Incorrect.
Option 1: Migrate the database to Azure Virtual Machines running SQL Server. Incorrect. While this is a straightforward lift-and-shift approach (IaaS), it does not minimize the operational overhead of patching and managing a SQL Server instance as much as a managed PaaS solution does. You still need to manage the OS and SQL Server updates.
- B. Incorrect.
Option 2: Migrate the database to a container hosted in Azure Container Instances. Incorrect. While containers can offer portability, this approach does not significantly reduce day-to-day database administration tasks, nor is it the standard recommended path for SQL Server workloads that need robust PaaS-like capabilities such as automated patching and backups.
- C. Correct.
Option 3: Migrate the database to Azure SQL Managed Instance. Correct. Azure SQL Managed Instance offers near-full SQL Server compatibility, reducing migration effort for T-SQL features. It also offloads many administrative tasks, including patching and maintenance, making it suitable for workloads that need a managed PaaS environment with minimal code refactoring.
- D. Incorrect.
Option 4: Migrate the database to Azure SQL Database. Incorrect. Although Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS solution, it may require refactoring if your application relies on certain SQL Server features or instance-level functionality not supported in Azure SQL Database. This could violate the requirement to avoid major code changes.