Quick Answer
The answer is to increase the number of shards. This resolves producer throttling because each shard in a Kinesis Data Stream provides a fixed write capacity of 1 MB per second or 1,000 records per second; when a producer exceeds that limit, it receives a ProvisionedThroughputExceeded exception, and scaling out the shard count directly increases the total write throughput available to the producer. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of Kinesis shard-based capacity management versus other features like retention or encryption, which do not affect write throttling. A common trap is confusing consumer-side solutions like Enhanced Fan-Out with producer-side fixes, so remember that throttling on the write side always points to insufficient shard count. Memory tip: “Producers push, shards split” — when your producer is throttled, split or add shards to boost the write pipeline.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data ingestion and transformation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A data streaming application uses Kinesis Data Streams with 10 shards. The data producer is throttled frequently. Which action should be taken to resolve this issue?
Decrease the data retention period
Why wrong: Retention period does not affect write capacity.
Use enhanced fan-out for consumers
Why wrong: Enhanced Fan-Out is for consumers, not producers.
Enable server-side encryption
Why wrong: Encryption does not affect throughput.
Increase the number of shards
Each shard provides 1 MB/s write capacity, so more shards increase capacity.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Increase the number of shards
Option B is correct because increasing the number of shards increases the write capacity. Option A is wrong because decreasing retention period does not affect write throttling. Option C is wrong because enabling encryption does not affect throttling. Option D is wrong because using Enhanced Fan-Out is for consumers, not producers.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Decrease the data retention period
Why it's wrong here
Retention period does not affect write capacity.
Use enhanced fan-out for consumers
Why it's wrong here
Enhanced Fan-Out is for consumers, not producers.
Enable server-side encryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption does not affect throughput.
Increase the number of shards
Why this is correct
Each shard provides 1 MB/s write capacity, so more shards increase capacity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Increase the number of shards — Option B is correct because increasing the number of shards increases the write capacity. Option A is wrong because decreasing retention period does not affect write throttling. Option C is wrong because enabling encryption does not affect throttling. Option D is wrong because using Enhanced Fan-Out is for consumers, not producers.
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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