Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign business continuity solutionsMedium
A healthcare provider is migrating its on-premises SQL Server databases to Azure. These databases contain highly sensitive patient data and require a backup solution that supports long-term retention (up to 10 years) and granular point-in-time recovery. The existing on-premises backup strategy uses SQL Server native backups. Which Azure service should be recommended for migrating and managing these backups in Azure?
- AAzure SQL Database Automated Backups
- BAzure Site Recovery for SQL Server VMs
- CAzure Blob Storage with custom scripts
- DAzure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs provides a native, integrated solution for backing up SQL Server running on Azure VMs, supporting long-term retention and granular point-in-time recovery, which aligns with the requirements for migrated on-premises databases.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Azure SQL Database Automated Backups are for Azure SQL Database PaaS offerings, not for SQL Server running inside Azure IaaS VMs.
- B. Azure Site Recovery is for disaster recovery of entire VMs, not granular database backups and long-term retention.
- C. Azure Blob Storage with custom scripts requires significant manual effort for management, scheduling, and retention, and is not as robust or integrated as Azure Backup.
Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
A native Azure Backup solution designed to protect SQL Server databases running inside Azure Virtual Machines, offering application-consistent backups and point-in-time recovery.
- Supports long-term retention policies for SQL Server backups.
- Provides granular recovery options (database, file, log mark).
- Integrated with Azure Recovery Services vaults for centralized management.
Memory trick: SQL on VM? Azure Backup is the best for your data's journey.