Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-301) Practice Exam

To resolve issues with latency when accessing an Azure SQL database due to enabled forced tunneling, which solution is most effective?

1. Azure Virtual Machines with Microsoft SQL Server

2. Azure SQL Database Managed Instance

3. Always On availability groups

4. Virtual Network Service Endpoint

The correct answer is: Virtual Network Service Endpoint

Using a Virtual Network Service Endpoint is the most effective solution to resolve issues with latency when accessing an Azure SQL database, particularly in scenarios where forced tunneling is enabled. Virtual Network Service Endpoints provide secure and direct connectivity to Azure services over an optimized route to the Azure backbone network. This setup allows Azure services to be accessed from within a virtual network, ensuring that the data traffic remains within the Azure network, which significantly reduces latency compared to traffic that has to traverse the internet or other routing layers typically encountered when forced tunneling is enabled. Additionally, service endpoints enhance security by providing access from the virtual networks while keeping the Azure SQL Database isolated from public access. This means that even with forced tunneling, access to the database can remain efficient, minimizing the potential latency issues that might arise from routed traffic over the internet. The other options do not adequately address the latency issue caused by forced tunneling. Using Azure Virtual Machines with Microsoft SQL Server might introduce added overhead without specifically optimizing the network route. An Azure SQL Database Managed Instance provides benefits but does not inherently resolve latency issues caused by forced tunneling, as it still relies on similar routing mechanisms. Always On availability groups primarily focus on high availability and disaster recovery without addressing network routing and latency concerns directly.