A production SQL Server 2019 instance with 18 TB of transactional data must be migrated to Azure with the shortest possible application downtime; the team has chosen Azure SQL Managed Instance as the target. Which Azure Database Migration Service capability fits?
- AUse DMS to perform an offline migration to Azure SQL Database.
- BUse Data Migration Assistant to apply schema and data changes directly to the Managed Instance.
- CUse AzCopy sync to keep the SQL data files synchronised between on-premises and Managed Instance.
- DUse DMS to perform an online migration to Azure SQL Managed Instance. Correct
Why A is wrong: Azure SQL Database supports offline-only migration via DMS, and the requirement specifies Managed Instance as the target.
Why B is wrong: Data Migration Assistant is an assessment tool; it does not perform online migrations of multi-terabyte workloads.
Why C is wrong: AzCopy moves blobs and files; it cannot replicate SQL Server transaction logs into Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Why D is correct: Correct. DMS supports online migration to Azure SQL Managed Instance, which keeps the source available during migration and minimises cutover downtime.