Microsoft Azure Data FundamentalsDescribe core data conceptsHard
A data architect is designing a solution for a large manufacturing company that needs to store historical production data for regulatory compliance and long-term analysis. The data includes machine sensor readings, operational logs, and quality control reports, which are generated continuously. The data must be stored cost-effectively for decades, with infrequent access after initial processing. Which storage option is MOST suitable for this scenario?
- AAzure Data Explorer
- BAzure Blob Storage (Archive Tier)
- CAzure Cosmos DB
- DAzure SQL Database
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Azure Blob Storage (Archive Tier)
Azure Blob Storage's Archive tier is designed for highly cost-effective storage of infrequently accessed data with flexible latency requirements, making it ideal for long-term retention of historical data for regulatory compliance and analysis with infrequent access.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Azure Data Explorer is optimized for high-volume, high-performance analytics on telemetry and log data, but not specifically for the lowest cost long-term archival with infrequent access.
- C. Azure Cosmos DB is a multi-model NoSQL database for high-performance, globally distributed applications, not primarily for cost-effective long-term archival.
- D. Azure SQL Database is for transactional, frequently accessed structured data, not cost-effective long-term archival of varied data types.
Azure Blob Storage (Archive Tier)
A storage tier in Azure Blob Storage optimized for rarely accessed data, offering the lowest storage costs with flexible latency requirements (hours for retrieval).
- Lowest cost storage option for Azure Blob Storage.
- Ideal for long-term backup, archival, and regulatory compliance data.
- Data retrieval can take several hours.
- Supports various data types (structured, semi-structured, unstructured).
Memory trick: Archive is like putting data in a deep, cold freezer for safekeeping.