Quick Answer
The answer is to increase the automated snapshot retention period to 35 days. This is because Amazon Redshift’s point-in-time recovery relies entirely on the automated snapshot retention period setting; by default, this value is set to 1 day, which limits the recovery window to the past 24 hours. To restore the cluster to any point within the last 35 days, you must extend that retention period to 35 days, as the service automatically takes periodic snapshots and retains them for the specified duration. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of Redshift’s backup and recovery configuration, often appearing as a scenario where you must identify which cluster setting controls the recovery window. A common trap is confusing encryption, node count, or network settings with snapshot retention—none of those affect point-in-time recovery. Remember the memory tip: “Retention equals recovery reach,” meaning the retention period directly defines how far back you can restore.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data operations and support. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A data engineer is reviewing the configuration of an Amazon Redshift cluster. The engineer wants to ensure that the cluster can be restored to a point in time up to 35 days in the past. Based on the exhibit, what change is needed?
Increase the automated snapshot retention period to 35 days.
Current retention is 1 day.
Change the cluster subnet group to a custom one.
Why wrong: Subnet group does not affect retention.
Enable encryption on the cluster.
Why wrong: Encryption is already enabled.
Increase the number of nodes to 6.
Why wrong: Node count does not affect snapshot retention.
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 automated snapshot retention period to 35 days.
Option C is correct. The AutomatedSnapshotRetentionPeriod is set to 1 day, which allows only 1 day of point-in-time recovery. To support 35 days, this value must be increased to 35. Option A is incorrect because the cluster is already encrypted. Option B is incorrect because the number of nodes does not affect snapshot retention. Option D is incorrect because the subnet group does not affect retention.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Increase the automated snapshot retention period to 35 days.
Why this is correct
Current retention is 1 day.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Change the cluster subnet group to a custom one.
Why it's wrong here
Subnet group does not affect retention.
Enable encryption on the cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is already enabled.
Increase the number of nodes to 6.
Why it's wrong here
Node count does not affect snapshot retention.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DEA-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Data Operations and Support — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Data Operations and Support practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DEA-C01 questions
1,786 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DEA-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Ingestion and Transformation.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Operations and Support.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Security and Governance.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Store Management.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 fundamentals.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 scenario.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Data Operations and Support — This question tests Data Operations and Support — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Increase the automated snapshot retention period to 35 days. — Option C is correct. The AutomatedSnapshotRetentionPeriod is set to 1 day, which allows only 1 day of point-in-time recovery. To support 35 days, this value must be increased to 35. Option A is incorrect because the cluster is already encrypted. Option B is incorrect because the number of nodes does not affect snapshot retention. Option D is incorrect because the subnet group does not affect retention.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DEA-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.