Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign data storage solutionsEasy
A healthcare provider is storing patient medical images (DICOM files) that are typically large (several MB to GB each). These images are accessed infrequently after an initial viewing but must be retained for regulatory compliance for many years. The solution needs to be cost-effective for long-term storage and provide eventual consistency. A custom application will retrieve images based on patient ID and date. Which Azure storage solution should be recommended?
- AAzure Cosmos DB
- BAzure Blob Storage (Archive tier)
- CAzure SQL Database
- DAzure Files
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Azure Blob Storage (Archive tier)
Azure Blob Storage, particularly the Archive tier, is ideal for storing large amounts of infrequently accessed data at a very low cost, with eventual consistency. It supports storing various file types, including medical images, and meets long-term retention requirements.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Azure Cosmos DB is a NoSQL database optimized for high-performance, globally distributed data, not for cost-effective long-term storage of large binary files.
- C. Azure SQL Database is for relational data and is not cost-effective for storing large binary files like medical images.
- D. Azure Files provides shared file storage accessible via SMB/NFS, which is not optimized for very cold, large binary objects and long-term archival costs.
Azure Blob Storage Archive Tier
A low-cost storage tier within Azure Blob Storage optimized for rarely accessed data with flexible latency requirements (hours for retrieval). It is suitable for long-term backups, archival, and compliance data.
- Lowest cost storage tier for blobs
- High latency for data retrieval (hours)
- Ideal for long-term retention and archival
- Supports large object storage
Memory trick: Hot, Cool, Archive: How fast do you need that data back?