The correct action is to add another dc2.large node to the cluster, because Redshift’s dc2 nodes are dense compute types where storage and compute are tightly coupled, and a single node’s capacity is the bottleneck. As data volume grows, a single dc2.large node hits both compute and disk limits, so scaling horizontally by adding a node increases both CPU power and storage, directly improving query performance while keeping costs moderate. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Redshift node families: dc2 for dense compute, ds2 for dense storage, and ra3 for managed storage with separate compute scaling. A common trap is choosing a larger node type like ds2, which adds storage but not proportional compute, or switching to ra3, which is costlier and unnecessary here. Remember the memory tip: “dc2 = dense compute, so double the nodes to double the power.”
DEA-C01 Data Store Management Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 engineer is managing an Amazon Redshift cluster used for analytics. The cluster has a single node of type dc2.large. The engineer notices that queries are slowing down as data volume grows. The cluster's disk space is at 70% usage. The engineer needs to improve query performance and accommodate future growth. The budget allows for moderate cost increase. Which action should the engineer take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add another dc2.large node to the cluster.
Redshift's dc2 nodes are dense compute nodes limited by storage. Adding a node increases both compute and storage capacity, improving performance and scalability. Option B is correct. Option A: resizing to a larger node type (ds2) increases storage but not necessarily compute proportionally; ds2 is dense storage. Option C: switching to ra3 nodes with managed storage allows compute scaling independent of storage, but ra3 nodes have a higher cost. Option D: enabling concurrency scaling adds cost for additional clusters, not addressing the single node bottleneck.
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.
✓
Add another dc2.large node to the cluster.
Why this is correct
Adding nodes increases both compute and storage capacity for better performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Resize the cluster to a single ds2.xlarge node.
Why it's wrong here
ds2 is dense storage, may not improve compute performance as much.
✗
Migrate the cluster to a single ra3.xlplus node with managed storage.
Why it's wrong here
ra3 nodes are more expensive and single node may still be a bottleneck.
✗
Enable concurrency scaling and maintain the current cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Concurrency scaling adds cost and does not address disk space or single node performance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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.
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: Add another dc2.large node to the cluster. — Redshift's dc2 nodes are dense compute nodes limited by storage. Adding a node increases both compute and storage capacity, improving performance and scalability. Option B is correct. Option A: resizing to a larger node type (ds2) increases storage but not necessarily compute proportionally; ds2 is dense storage. Option C: switching to ra3 nodes with managed storage allows compute scaling independent of storage, but ra3 nodes have a higher cost. Option D: enabling concurrency scaling adds cost for additional clusters, not addressing the single node bottleneck.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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
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