Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure (AZ-204) Practice Exam

Which process is an example of scaling up (vertical scaling)?

1. Updating your application to use a queuing service

2. Adding more web servers into a web farm

3. Adding another virtual machine into a database cluster

4. Updating a virtual machine to a larger size

The correct answer is: Updating a virtual machine to a larger size

Scaling up, also known as vertical scaling, refers to the process of increasing the capacity of an existing resource rather than adding more instances of that resource. The correct answer, which involves updating a virtual machine to a larger size, exemplifies this concept perfectly. By upgrading the virtual machine, you enhance its processing power, memory, and storage capacity, allowing it to handle a greater workload without changing the architecture or adding more resources. In contrast, the other options present methods of scaling that do not fall under vertical scaling. Utilizing a queuing service (the first choice) aims at improving the application's ability to manage requests effectively, thereby optimizing performance but not increasing any single server's capacity. Adding more web servers (the second choice) is an example of horizontal scaling, where you distribute the load across multiple machines instead of enhancing a single one. Finally, incorporating another virtual machine into a database cluster (the third choice) also represents horizontal scaling because it adds additional resources to handle the workload rather than increasing the capabilities of an existing resource. Thus, updating a virtual machine to a larger size distinctly constitutes vertical scaling as it focuses on enhancing the individual resource utilized.