Requirement: Configure differential backups for Azure SQL Database db1 to run once a day instead of twice a day.
Correct setting: Change Differential backup frequency from 12 Hours to 24 Hours.
Azure SQL Database supports differential backup frequency of either 12 hours or 24 hours. A 12-hour frequency means twice per day; a 24-hour frequency means once per day. Microsoft also notes that 24-hour differential backup frequency can increase restore time compared with 12-hour frequency.
Method 1 --- Azure Portal Method
This is the best method for the simulation.
Step 1: Open the Azure SQL logical server
Sign in to the Azure portal.
Search for SQL servers.
Open the logical SQL server that hosts database db1.
Do not start from SQL Server Management Studio for this task. The differential backup frequency is an Azure SQL backup policy setting, not a normal T-SQL database setting.
Step 2: Open the Backups page
In the SQL server left menu, select Backups.
Select the Retention policies tab.
Microsoft's documented portal path is to go to the logical SQL server, select Backups, then select the Retention policies tab.
Step 3: Select database db1
In the list of databases, locate db1.
Select the checkbox next to db1.
Select Configure policies from the action bar.
Step 4: Change the differential backup frequency
In the policy configuration pane:
Find Differential backup frequency.
Change it from:
12 Hours
to:
24 Hours
Leave the PITR retention period unchanged unless the task specifically tells you to change it.
Select Apply or Save.
Microsoft's documented option is exactly 12 Hours or 24 hours under Differential backup frequency.
Method 2 --- Azure CLI Method
Use this if the simulation provides Cloud Shell.
az sql db str-policy set \
--resource-group <resource-group-name> \
--server <server-name> \
--name db1 \
--retention-days <current-retention-days> \
--diffbackup-hours 24
Example:
az sql db str-policy set \
--resource-group RG1 \
--server sql60152867 \
--name db1 \
--retention-days 7 \
--diffbackup-hours 24
Microsoft documents az sql db str-policy set with --diffbackup-hours 24 for changing active database differential backup frequency. Valid values are 12 or 24 hours.
Be careful: do not guess the retention days blindly in a real environment. In the exam lab, use the existing retention value shown in the portal unless the task also asks you to change retention.
Method 3 --- PowerShell Method
Use this if Azure PowerShell is available.
Set-AzSqlDatabaseBackupShortTermRetentionPolicy `
-ResourceGroupName '<resource-group-name>' `
-ServerName '<server-name>' `
-DatabaseName 'db1' `
-RetentionDays <current-retention-days> `
-DiffBackupIntervalInHours 24
Microsoft documents Set-AzSqlDatabaseBackupShortTermRetentionPolicy with -DiffBackupIntervalInHours 24 for setting Azure SQL Database differential backup frequency.
SSMS / T-SQL Clarification
For this task, SSMS is not the right tool to change the setting.
There is no normal ALTER DATABASE T-SQL command in Azure SQL Database to change automated differential backup frequency. Microsoft documents this change through:
Azure portal
Azure CLI
PowerShell
REST API
not SSMS/T-SQL.
You may use SSMS only to confirm the database exists and is accessible, but the backup frequency setting must be changed from Azure management tools.
