This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 designing a database for an IoT application that receives millions of sensor readings per second. Each reading is a small JSON payload (timestamp, device_id, metric, value). The primary query pattern retrieves the most recent reading for a given device. Which AWS database service is BEST suited for this workload?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Amazon Aurora
Why wrong: Relational database, not designed for extremely high write volumes of small records.
Amazon DynamoDB
Handles high write throughput and supports efficient point queries with sort key.
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why wrong: Cache, not durable; data loss risk.
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why wrong: Relational database not optimized for high-velocity time-series writes.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon DynamoDB
DynamoDB is a key-value and document database optimized for high-velocity writes and low-latency point lookups. With a primary key of device_id and a sort key of timestamp, the query for the most recent reading can use ScanIndexForward: false and limit 1, which is efficient. RDS and Aurora are relational and not ideal for high-throughput writes. ElastiCache is a cache, not a durable database. Redshift is for analytics.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Amazon Aurora
Why it's wrong here
Relational database, not designed for extremely high write volumes of small records.
Amazon DynamoDB
Why this is correct
Handles high write throughput and supports efficient point queries with sort key.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why it's wrong here
Cache, not durable; data loss risk.
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
Relational database not optimized for high-velocity time-series writes.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Amazon DynamoDB — DynamoDB is a key-value and document database optimized for high-velocity writes and low-latency point lookups. With a primary key of device_id and a sort key of timestamp, the query for the most recent reading can use ScanIndexForward: false and limit 1, which is efficient. RDS and Aurora are relational and not ideal for high-throughput writes. ElastiCache is a cache, not a durable database. Redshift is for analytics.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Yes — watch for: "best", "primary". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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