Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign business continuity solutionsMedium
A healthcare organization is migrating its on-premises SQL Server databases to Azure. These databases are hosted on Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) and contain critical patient data. The organization needs a backup solution that provides application-consistent backups, supports long-term retention (up to 10 years), and allows for granular recovery of individual databases or even specific tables. Which Azure service should be used?
- AAzure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
- BAzure Blob Storage GRS with custom scripts
- CAzure Site Recovery (ASR)
- DAzure SQL Database Point-in-Time Restore (PITR)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs is specifically designed for this scenario. It provides application-consistent backups using SQL VSS Writer, supports long-term retention, and allows for granular recovery of databases, including point-in-time restore, which can be used to recover specific tables if needed.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Using GRS with custom scripts would be a manual, error-prone solution lacking application consistency, granular recovery features, and integrated management of Azure Backup.
- C. ASR is for disaster recovery and VM replication, not for granular, application-consistent backups of SQL Server databases within VMs or long-term retention.
- D. PITR is for Azure SQL Database (PaaS), not SQL Server hosted on Azure VMs (IaaS).
Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VMs
A specialized Azure Backup solution designed to protect SQL Server databases running on Azure IaaS VMs, offering application-consistent backups, long-term retention, and granular recovery.
- Uses SQL VSS Writer for application-consistent backups.
- Supports long-term retention (LTR) up to 10 years.
- Enables granular recovery at the database level and point-in-time restore.
Memory trick: Azure Backup for SQL VMs is the doctor for your database's health, ensuring full recovery.