Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign business continuity solutionsMedium
A company is designing a backup solution for its critical Azure SQL Database. The database stores transaction data and requires a recovery point objective (RPO) of 5 minutes and a recovery time objective (RTO) of 30 minutes. Which Azure SQL Database backup feature should be leveraged?
- AExport to BACPAC file
- BPoint-in-time restore (PITR) using automated backups
- CLong-term retention (LTR) backups
- DManual full backups to Blob storage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Point-in-time restore (PITR) using automated backups
Azure SQL Database's automated backups, combined with its point-in-time restore (PITR) capability, allow recovery to any point within the retention period, typically providing an RPO of 5 minutes or less and enabling rapid recovery to meet the 30-minute RTO.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Export to BACPAC file creates a logical backup, which is slow for large databases and not suitable for a 5-minute RPO or 30-minute RTO.
- C. Long-term retention (LTR) backups are for archiving backups for extended periods (e.g., years), not for achieving a low RPO/RTO for operational recovery.
- D. Manual full backups to Blob storage are not automated, making it difficult to achieve a 5-minute RPO and manage effectively.
Azure SQL Database Point-in-Time Restore (PITR)
A recovery feature that allows you to restore an Azure SQL Database to any point in time within its configured retention period, using automated backups.
- Leverages full, differential, and transaction log backups.
- Typically offers an RPO of 5 minutes or less.
- Enables rapid recovery for operational data loss scenarios.
Memory trick: PITR: Your time machine for SQL Database recovery.