Azure SQL Database vs SQL Managed Instance - Practice Questions

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Primary difference in deployment scope

Which option correctly describes the primary deployment scope difference between Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance?

A SQL Managed Instance is designed only for on-premises deployment, Azure SQL Database is cloud-only.

B Azure SQL Database supports multiple databases in a managed instance, SQL Managed Instance supports only single databases.

C Both services only support single databases with no instance-level management.

D Azure SQL Database is a single database service, while SQL Managed Instance supports multiple databases within an instance.

💡 Hint

Think about how many databases you can manage under one service instance.

Azure SQL Database is designed as a single database service, while SQL Managed Instance provides a managed instance environment that can host multiple databases, similar to an on-premises SQL Server instance.

❓ Architecture

intermediate

Network connectivity options

Which option correctly identifies the network connectivity capabilities of Azure SQL Database compared to SQL Managed Instance?

A Azure SQL Database supports only public endpoints, SQL Managed Instance supports private network connectivity via VNet integration.

B Both Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance support only public internet endpoints.

C SQL Managed Instance supports only public endpoints, Azure SQL Database supports private VNet integration.

D Neither service supports private network connectivity.

💡 Hint

Consider which service allows integration into a private virtual network.

Azure SQL Database typically uses public endpoints, while SQL Managed Instance is deployed inside a customer's virtual network, allowing private IP connectivity.

❓ service_behavior

advanced

Behavior of cross-database queries

Which option correctly describes cross-database query support in Azure SQL Database vs SQL Managed Instance?

A Azure SQL Database supports cross-database queries natively; SQL Managed Instance does not.

B SQL Managed Instance supports cross-database queries natively; Azure SQL Database does not support cross-database queries.

C Neither service supports cross-database queries.

D Both services support cross-database queries natively.

💡 Hint

Think about which service mimics on-premises SQL Server capabilities more closely.

SQL Managed Instance supports cross-database queries similar to on-premises SQL Server, while Azure SQL Database does not support cross-database queries natively.

❓ security

advanced

Authentication and security features

Which option correctly compares authentication and security features between Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance?

A Both support Azure Active Directory authentication and Transparent Data Encryption by default.

B Only Azure SQL Database supports Azure Active Directory authentication; SQL Managed Instance does not.

C SQL Managed Instance supports Transparent Data Encryption; Azure SQL Database does not.

D Neither service supports Azure Active Directory authentication.

💡 Hint

Consider common security features provided by Azure SQL services.

Both Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance support Azure Active Directory authentication and Transparent Data Encryption to protect data at rest.

✅ Best Practice

expert

Choosing between Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance

Which option best describes when to choose SQL Managed Instance over Azure SQL Database for migrating an existing on-premises SQL Server workload?

A When you want to deploy a NoSQL database with flexible schema.

B When you want a simple single database with minimal management and no instance-level features.

C When you need instance-level features like SQL Agent, cross-database queries, and linked servers with minimal changes.

D When you require only serverless compute with auto-pausing capabilities.

💡 Hint

Think about which service offers more compatibility with traditional SQL Server features.

SQL Managed Instance is designed to provide near 100% compatibility with on-premises SQL Server, including instance-level features, making it ideal for migrations requiring minimal application changes.