Reference guide

Microsoft DP-300 Course Notes

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Section 1Plan and implement data platform resources (15%-20%)Preview

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Summary

Pick the right Azure SQL platform, then size and migrate it correctly. Know Database vs Managed Instance vs SQL VM, Arc/Fabric use cases, partitioning/sharding, scale models, compression, and online/offline migration.

Key Points

Azure SQL Database = database PaaS / least infrastructure administration.

Common Mistakes

Choosing a VM when PaaS meets all requirements.

Exam Tips

Requirement first; platform second.

Section 2Implement a secure environment (20%-25%)Preview

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Summary

Security is identity + permissions + encryption + network isolation + compliance evidence. Know Entra auth, least privilege, TDE/TLS/Always Encrypted, Private Link, auditing, masking, RLS, ledger, and data classification.

Key Points

Authentication = identity; authorization = permissions.

Common Mistakes

Confusing login failures with permission failures.

Exam Tips

Principal + scope + least privilege.

Section 3Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources (20%-25%)Preview

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Summary

Performance is evidence-driven: baseline, metrics, waits, Query Store, DMVs, plans, blocking, indexes, stats, maintenance, Resource Governor, automatic tuning, and IQP.

Key Points

Baseline normal behavior before diagnosing regressions.

Common Mistakes

Scaling on high CPU without finding the responsible queries.

Exam Tips

Timeframe -> baseline -> symptom -> SQL evidence -> change -> validate.

Section 4Configure and manage automation of tasks (15%-20%)Preview

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Summary

Current DP-300 automation means SQL Server Agent, Azure SQL elastic jobs, and Azure-native IaC/scripted deployment with ARM, Bicep, PowerShell, and CLI.

Key Points

SQL Server Agent = SQL Server/Managed Instance recurring jobs, schedules, history, alerts, notifications.

Common Mistakes

Using SQL Server Agent for Azure SQL Database single-database automation.

Exam Tips

Agent = SQL/MI; elastic jobs = Azure SQL DB fleet.

Section 5Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) environment (20%-25%)Preview

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Summary

HA/DR questions begin with RPO/RTO and failure scope. Know built-in HA, zone redundancy, geo-replication/failover groups, AGs, FCIs, log shipping, native/Azure backups, PITR/LTR, and recovery testing.

Key Points

RPO = acceptable data loss; RTO = acceptable restoration time.

Common Mistakes

Choosing HA/DR technology before reading RPO/RTO.

Exam Tips

RPO/RTO first.