Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-301) Practice Exam

To back up and restore critical data on Azure efficiently, what is the most cost-effective storage solution?

1. Azure Blob Storage - Hot tier

2. Azure Blob Storage - Cool tier

3. Azure Blob Storage - Archive tier

4. Azure Managed Disks

The correct answer is: Azure Blob Storage - Archive tier

The Archive tier of Azure Blob Storage is designed specifically for scenarios where data is rarely accessed and is intended for long-term storage. It is the most cost-effective option for backing up and restoring critical data that does not require frequent access, offering significantly lower storage costs compared to the Hot and Cool tiers. When using the Archive tier, data is stored in a way that minimizes costs, making it ideal for compliance and archival purposes. The trade-off, however, is that accessing data from the Archive tier incurs additional costs and requires a longer retrieval time compared to data stored in the Hot or Cool tiers. This means that while the Archive tier is economical for long-term storage, it is not suitable for data that needs to be accessed frequently or immediately. In contrast, the Hot tier is designed for data that is accessed regularly, and while it offers the best performance for access speed, it comes at a higher storage cost. The Cool tier, while cheaper than Hot, is still not as economical as the Archive tier for long-term, infrequent access needs. In terms of Azure Managed Disks, they are primarily focused on providing block storage for virtual machines, which may not necessarily provide the same cost advantages for long-term backup solutions compared to Blob Storage tiers designed for passive