Quick Answer
The correct answer is Multi-AZ RDS instance because this deployment option automatically provisions and maintains a synchronous standby replica in a different Availability Zone, ensuring automatic failover with zero data loss for PostgreSQL. This architecture meets the high availability requirement by replicating data synchronously across two AZs, so if the primary instance fails, RDS automatically flips the DNS record to the standby, minimizing downtime. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between Multi-AZ for high availability and read replicas for scaling—a common trap is confusing read replicas (which are asynchronous and require manual promotion) with Multi-AZ’s synchronous failover. Remember the memory tip: “Multi-AZ for uptime, read replicas for read time.”
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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 company is deploying a new application with a PostgreSQL database on Amazon RDS. The database must be highly available across two Availability Zones. Which deployment option meets this requirement?
RDS with a read replica in another AZ.
Why wrong: Read replicas do not provide automatic failover.
Multi-AZ RDS instance.
Provides automatic failover to a standby in another AZ.
Single-AZ RDS instance.
Why wrong: No failover capability.
Amazon Aurora Global Database.
Why wrong: Overkill for single-region HA; more complex.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Multi-AZ RDS instance.
Option B is correct because Multi-AZ deployment provides synchronous standby in another AZ. Option A is wrong because it's single-AZ. Option C is wrong because read replicas are for read scaling, not failover. Option D is wrong because it's a different service.
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.
RDS with a read replica in another AZ.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas do not provide automatic failover.
Multi-AZ RDS instance.
Why this is correct
Provides automatic failover to a standby in another AZ.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Single-AZ RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
No failover capability.
Amazon Aurora Global Database.
Why it's wrong here
Overkill for single-region HA; more complex.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
Identify which DBS-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
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Multi-AZ RDS instance. — Option B is correct because Multi-AZ deployment provides synchronous standby in another AZ. Option A is wrong because it's single-AZ. Option C is wrong because read replicas are for read scaling, not failover. Option D is wrong because it's a different service.
Identify which DBS-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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is deploying a new web application that uses Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The database must be highly available with automatic failover across two Availability Zones. Which deployment option meets this requirement?
easyWhy B: Multi-AZ deployment provides automatic failover. Option B (single-AZ) lacks HA. Option C (read replica) is for read scaling, not automatic failover. Option D (cross-region) is more complex and costly.
Variation 2. A company is deploying a new application that uses Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The database must be highly available and fault-tolerant. Which deployment option meets these requirements?
easyWhy C: Option A is correct because Multi-AZ deployment provides automatic failover to a standby in a different Availability Zone, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance. Option B is wrong because a single-AZ deployment does not provide fault tolerance. Option C is wrong because read replicas are for read scaling, not automatic failover. Option D is wrong because cross-Region read replicas are for disaster recovery, not automatic failover within a Region.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DBS-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 DBS-C01 exam.
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