- A
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why wrong: DMS is for migration, not backup.
- B
AWS Data Pipeline
Why wrong: Data Pipeline is not an automatic backup service.
- C
Amazon RDS automated backups
RDS provides automated backups by default.
- D
Amazon S3
Why wrong: S3 is storage, not a backup service for RDS.
- E
AWS Backup
AWS Backup can manage RDS backups centrally.
Question 1,626 of 1,786
Backing Up Amazon RDS for SQL Server
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which TWO AWS services can be used to automatically back up an Amazon RDS for SQL Server DB instance? (Choose TWO.)
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
✓
Amazon RDS automated backups
Amazon RDS automated backups are a built-in feature of RDS that automatically creates daily snapshots of the DB instance and backs up transaction logs every 5 minutes, enabling point-in-time recovery to any second within the retention period. This is the native, no-cost mechanism for backing up an RDS for SQL Server DB instance without additional configuration beyond setting the backup retention window.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for migration, not backup.
- ✗
AWS Data Pipeline
Why it's wrong here
Data Pipeline is not an automatic backup service.
- ✓
Amazon RDS automated backups
Why this is correct
RDS provides automated backups by default.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
S3 is storage, not a backup service for RDS.
- ✓
AWS Backup
Why this is correct
AWS Backup can manage RDS backups centrally.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS Backup with a service that only works for on-premises or EC2 backups, or mistakenly think DMS or Data Pipeline can handle automated backups, when in fact only RDS automated backups and AWS Backup provide native, automatic backup capabilities for RDS for SQL Server.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RDS automated backups for SQL Server use the native VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) on Windows to create consistent snapshots of the underlying EBS volumes, ensuring transaction log backups are captured every 5 minutes. The retention period can be set from 0 to 35 days, and automated backups are stored in S3 within the same AWS region, incurring no additional storage cost up to the size of the DB instance. AWS Backup, on the other hand, uses the RDS snapshot API to create on-demand or scheduled backups independently of the RDS automated backup retention window, allowing cross-region copy and lifecycle policies.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Data Store Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DEA-C01 question test?
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon RDS automated backups — Amazon RDS automated backups are a built-in feature of RDS that automatically creates daily snapshots of the DB instance and backs up transaction logs every 5 minutes, enabling point-in-time recovery to any second within the retention period. This is the native, no-cost mechanism for backing up an RDS for SQL Server DB instance without additional configuration beyond setting the backup retention window.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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