Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure — Question 115

You administer two Microsoft SQL Server 2016 servers named ProdSrv1 and ProdSrv2. ProdSrv1 is configured as a Distributor.
Both servers are configured to use the Windows NT Service virtual accounts for all SQL Services.
You are configuring snapshot replication from ProdSrv1 to ProdSrv2 by using ProdSrv2 as a pull subscriber.
The distribution agent on ProdSrv2 regularly fails, displaying the following error message:
"Cannot access the file. Operating system error code 5 (Access is denied.)."
You need to configure the distribution agent by granting only the minimum required access to all accounts.
What should you do?

Answer options

• A. Configure the Subscriber to use the Local System account.
• B. Configure the SQL Server Agent service to run under the Local System account. Configure the Subscriber to use the SQL Server Agent service account.
• C. Configure the SQL Server Agent service to run under a Windows domain account. Configure the Subscriber to use the SQL Server Agent service account. Grant FULL CONTROL access for the domain account to the ReplData share on ProdSrv1.
• D. Configure the Subscriber to use a Windows domain account. Grant READ access for the domain account to the ReplData share on ProdSrv1.

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is D because it grants the minimum necessary permissions to the domain account for accessing the ReplData share, which resolves the access denied error. Option A is incorrect as the Local System account may not have the required permissions. Option B does not provide the appropriate access needed for the distribution agent. Option C unnecessarily grants FULL CONTROL, which exceeds the minimum required access.