The answer is to replace the cluster with a single ds2.xlarge node. This is the most cost-effective way to resolve a Redshift disk full scenario because the dc2.large is a dense compute node with only 160 GB of local SSD, while the ds2.xlarge provides 2 TB of HDD storage at a significantly lower cost per gigabyte, directly addressing the storage shortage without paying for unnecessary CPU or memory. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of Redshift node families and the trade-off between compute and storage—a common trap is assuming you must add more nodes or scale vertically within the same family, which inflates costs. Remember that for pure storage growth, dense storage (ds2) nodes are the budget-friendly choice, while dense compute (dc) nodes are for high I/O workloads. A quick memory tip: "DS for Disk Space, DC for Compute Crunch."
DEA-C01 Data Operations and Support Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data operations and support. 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 engineer manages an Amazon Redshift cluster that hosts a 10 TB data warehouse. The cluster uses a single node of type dc2.large (160 GB SSD). The engineer notices that the cluster's disk space is 95% full, and queries are running slowly. The engineer runs the STV_PARTITIONS view and sees that many slices have high 'tossed' counts. The engineer also runs VACUUM and ANALYZE commands, but the disk space does not improve. The engineer suspects that the cluster needs more storage. However, the company wants to minimize cost. Which action should the engineer take to resolve the disk space issue most cost-effectively?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Replace the cluster with a single ds2.xlarge node.
Option C is correct because dc2.large is a dense compute node with limited SSD storage; upgrading to ds2.xlarge provides more storage (2 TB HDD) at a lower cost per GB compared to scaling up to dc2.8xlarge. Option A is wrong because adding more dc2.large nodes increases storage but also CPU and memory, which may be unnecessary and more expensive than a single ds2 node. Option B is wrong because dc2.8xlarge has 2.56 TB SSD, which is more expensive than ds2.xlarge. Option D is wrong because switching to RA3 nodes is costly and designed for managed storage, which may be overkill.
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.
✗
Switch to a ra3.xlplus node with managed storage.
Why it's wrong here
RA3 nodes have a higher base cost and are optimized for separating compute and storage, not purely for storage expansion.
✓
Replace the cluster with a single ds2.xlarge node.
Why this is correct
ds2.xlarge provides 2 TB HDD storage at a lower cost than dc2 options, solving the disk space issue.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Scale the cluster to a single dc2.8xlarge node.
Why it's wrong here
dc2.8xlarge has 2.56 TB SSD but is more expensive than ds2.xlarge.
✗
Add another dc2.large node to the cluster to increase total storage.
Why it's wrong here
Adding nodes increases storage but also cost; a single ds2.xlarge may be cheaper for the same storage.
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 Operations and Support — This question tests Data Operations and Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Replace the cluster with a single ds2.xlarge node. — Option C is correct because dc2.large is a dense compute node with limited SSD storage; upgrading to ds2.xlarge provides more storage (2 TB HDD) at a lower cost per GB compared to scaling up to dc2.8xlarge. Option A is wrong because adding more dc2.large nodes increases storage but also CPU and memory, which may be unnecessary and more expensive than a single ds2 node. Option B is wrong because dc2.8xlarge has 2.56 TB SSD, which is more expensive than ds2.xlarge. Option D is wrong because switching to RA3 nodes is costly and designed for managed storage, which may be overkill.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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