Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign data storage solutionsHard

A global online gaming company needs to store player session data, including real-time game state, player scores, and inventory. This data is highly dynamic, requires extremely low latency (single-digit milliseconds) for both reads and writes, and must be available globally to support players worldwide. The data model is semi-structured and can change frequently as new game features are released. Which Azure data storage solution is most appropriate?

  1. AAzure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API)
  2. BAzure SQL Database Hyperscale
  3. CAzure Cache for Redis
  4. DAzure Database for MySQL Flexible Server
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. Azure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API)

Azure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API) is a globally distributed, multi-model database service that provides guaranteed single-digit millisecond latency at the 99th percentile, elastic scalability, and support for flexible, semi-structured data. Its global distribution capabilities are essential for online gaming with worldwide players.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Azure SQL Database Hyperscale offers high scalability for relational data but may not provide the guaranteed global low latency and schema flexibility of Cosmos DB for semi-structured game state.
  • C. Azure Cache for Redis is an in-memory data store for caching, not a primary persistent data store for entire game sessions and inventory.
  • D. Azure Database for MySQL Flexible Server is a relational database and would struggle with the global distribution, low-latency requirements, and flexible schema needs of this scenario.

Azure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API)

A globally distributed, multi-model database service that provides guaranteed single-digit millisecond latency, elastic scalability, and support for flexible schema JSON documents.

  • Offers turn-key global distribution and multi-region writes.
  • Guarantees 99th percentile latency.
  • Ideal for high-throughput, low-latency applications like gaming and IoT.

Memory trick: Cosmos SQL powers global gaming, fast and free.

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