Which Azure SQL Database Service Tier Supports Compute Autoscaling?
You have an Azure subscription. You plan to provision a single Azure SQL database. You need to ensure that the database supports the autoscaling of compute resources. Which service tier should you choose?
Community Insight
The exam tests your knowledge of which Azure SQL Database service tiers support the Serverless compute tier; the trap is confusing DTU-based tiers (Standard/Premium) with vCore-based tiers that offer autoscaling.
The General Purpose service tier in the vCore model supports the Serverless compute tier, which automatically scales compute resources based on workload demand. DTU-based tiers (Standard, Premium) and Business Critical do not support Serverless autoscaling.
Many candidates choose Premium (A) or Standard (D) because they are well-known tiers that support scaling, but these are DTU-based and do not support the Serverless compute tier for automatic compute autoscaling.
Community Discussion (3 comments)
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
The General Purpose tier under the vCore purchasing model supports the Serverless compute tier, which automatically pauses and scales compute (vCores) up or down based on workload demand. This is the only option among the four that provides true autoscaling of compute resources without manual intervention. Community comment [2] correctly notes that Serverless is exclusive to the General Purpose vCore tier.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Premium (A) and Standard (D) are DTU-based service tiers and do not support the Serverless compute tier; they require manual scaling of DTU levels. Business Critical (C) is a vCore-based tier designed for low-latency and high-availability workloads with locally attached storage, but it does not support Serverless compute autoscaling. As comment [2] points out, only General Purpose vCore supports Serverless.Community Comment Notes
Comment [2] provides a clear breakdown: DTU-based tiers (Premium, Standard) and Business Critical do not support Serverless, leaving General Purpose as the only valid answer. Comment [1] links to the official Hyperscale comparison page, which reinforces understanding of resource limits across tiers. Comment [3] simply confirms B as correct, aligning with the consensus.Official Reference
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/service-tier-hyperscale?view=azuresql#compare-resource-limits
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/service-tiers-general-purpose-business-critical?view=azuresql
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/serverless-compute-tier?view=azuresql
Exam Strategy
When a question mentions 'autoscaling of compute resources' for Azure SQL Database, immediately think 'Serverless compute tier.' Remember that Serverless is only available in the General Purpose vCore tier—DTU-based tiers and Business Critical do not offer it.
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