DEA-C01 Data Operations and Support Practice Question
A data engineer needs to set up a disaster recovery solution for an Amazon RDS for MySQL database. The database must be available in another AWS Region with minimal data loss. What is the simplest approach?
⚠ Common exam trap
DEA-C01 often tests whether candidates pick Multi-AZ for cross-Region DR or daily snapshots for minimal data loss, confusing availability within a Region with disaster recovery across Regions.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a cross-Region read replica of the database.
A cross-Region read replica of an RDS for MySQL database asynchronously replicates data to another AWS Region, providing a warm standby with minimal data loss (typically seconds of lag) and the ability to promote the replica during a regional failure. It is the simplest native RDS feature for cross-Region DR without building custom replication pipelines.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable Multi-AZ deployment in the same Region.
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ replicates synchronously to a standby in the same Region, so it provides no cross-Region availability and cannot satisfy the requirement. It would be correct for high availability within one Region. Cross-Region read replicas or automated backups achieve the stated minimal-data-loss regional failover.
- ✗
Set up AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for continuous replication.
Why it's wrong here
Using AWS DMS for continuous replication introduces additional architectural overhead and management tasks compared to native RDS features. This approach is intended for migrating data between different database engines or heterogeneous environments where built-in replication does not exist. It becomes the correct choice when you must move data from an on-premises server to Amazon RDS, rather than managing a native cross-region replica for disaster recovery.
- ✗
Take a manual snapshot and copy it to the other Region daily.
Why it's wrong here
Manual snapshot copy leaves up to 24 hours of data loss, failing the minimal-data-loss requirement; automated cross-Region snapshot copying or a cross-Region read replica would meet it. It tempts because snapshots are the standard mechanism for regional migration and long-term retention, where some RPO tolerance is acceptable.
- ✓
Create a cross-Region read replica of the database.
Why this is correct
A cross-Region read replica asynchronously replicates the primary RDS for MySQL database to another Region, providing a standby that can be promoted during disaster. This delivers cross-Region availability with minimal data loss and is simpler than manual snapshot copying or restore procedures.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Amazon Web Services exam blueprint
This DEA-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DEA-C01 exam.