DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
A company is designing a database for an IoT application that ingests millions of sensor readings per second. Each reading includes device ID, timestamp, and measurement. The workload requires time-series analytics and data retention for 90 days. Which AWS database solution is MOST appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently choose DynamoDB with TTL because they associate it with time-series data and automatic expiration, but they overlook the lack of native time-series analytics and the performance challenges of range queries across high-cardinality device IDs.
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 Timestream
Amazon Timestream is a purpose-built time-series database designed for IoT and operational applications that ingest millions of sensor readings per second. It automatically manages data retention policies (e.g., 90 days) by storing recent data in memory and historical data in a cost-optimized store, and it supports time-series analytics with built-in functions like interpolation and smoothing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Amazon Redshift with auto-copy from S3
Why it's wrong here
Redshift is for analytics, not real-time ingestion of millions per second.
- ✗
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis with time-series module
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache is a cache, not a durable data store for 90-day retention.
- ✓
Amazon Timestream
Why this is correct
Timestream is purpose-built for time-series data, handles high ingestion, and includes built-in analytics.
- ✗
Amazon DynamoDB with TTL
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is not optimized for time-series analytics and may be expensive for high write throughput.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.