The answer is to configure an AWS DMS task with ongoing replication to an RDS Oracle instance in another Region and enable Cross-Region automated backups. This combination achieves the lowest possible RPO and RTO for cross-region disaster recovery because DMS provides continuous, near-real-time data replication, while automated backups allow you to restore a consistent database snapshot in the secondary Region with minimal data loss. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that Oracle RDS does not support cross-Region read replicas, so you must rely on DMS for ongoing replication and automated backups for point-in-time recovery. A common trap is selecting Multi-AZ, which only provides high availability within a single Region, not cross-Region DR. Remember: for Oracle cross-Region DR, think DMS for continuous sync plus automated backups for restore—no read replicas, no Aurora.
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
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 runs a critical Oracle database on Amazon RDS. They need to implement a disaster recovery strategy that provides the lowest possible recovery point objective (RPO) and recovery time objective (RTO) across AWS Regions. Which TWO actions should they take? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure cross-Region automated backups to copy backups to another Region.
To achieve cross-Region DR with low RPO/RTO, you can use an AWS DMS task with ongoing replication to an RDS instance in another Region. Additionally, you can enable Multi-AZ in the primary Region for high availability, but that doesn't provide cross-Region DR. Option C (cross-Region read replica) is not supported for Oracle. Option D (Cross-Region automated backups) is supported and provides RPO of a few minutes. Option E (Aurora Global Database) is for Aurora, not Oracle. The correct combination is: Option A (DMS) and Option D (Cross-Region backup restore). However, DMS provides continuous replication (low RPO) and Option D provides automated backups that can be restored in another Region (low RTO if restored). But Option A alone is not sufficient for RTO; you need a standby instance. The best answer is to use DMS for replication to a standby RDS instance in the secondary Region and use Cross-Region automated backups for additional protection. But the question asks for TWO actions. Option A + Option D is valid. Option B (Multi-AZ) is for HA within a Region. Option C is not supported. Option E is for Aurora. So A and D.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Configure cross-Region automated backups to copy backups to another Region.
Why this is correct
Cross-Region automated backups provide an RPO of a few minutes and allow restore in the secondary Region.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Configure an AWS DMS task to replicate data from the primary RDS Oracle instance to an RDS Oracle instance in another Region.
Why this is correct
DMS provides ongoing replication with low RPO.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Enable Multi-AZ on the primary RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ provides high availability within a single Region, not cross-Region DR.
✗
Create a cross-Region read replica of the Oracle DB instance.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-Region read replicas are not supported for Oracle RDS.
✗
Use Amazon Aurora Global Database to replicate data across Regions.
Why it's wrong here
Aurora Global Database is for Aurora, not Oracle.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure cross-Region automated backups to copy backups to another Region. — To achieve cross-Region DR with low RPO/RTO, you can use an AWS DMS task with ongoing replication to an RDS instance in another Region. Additionally, you can enable Multi-AZ in the primary Region for high availability, but that doesn't provide cross-Region DR. Option C (cross-Region read replica) is not supported for Oracle. Option D (Cross-Region automated backups) is supported and provides RPO of a few minutes. Option E (Aurora Global Database) is for Aurora, not Oracle. The correct combination is: Option A (DMS) and Option D (Cross-Region backup restore). However, DMS provides continuous replication (low RPO) and Option D provides automated backups that can be restored in another Region (low RTO if restored). But Option A alone is not sufficient for RTO; you need a standby instance. The best answer is to use DMS for replication to a standby RDS instance in the secondary Region and use Cross-Region automated backups for additional protection. But the question asks for TWO actions. Option A + Option D is valid. Option B (Multi-AZ) is for HA within a Region. Option C is not supported. Option E is for Aurora. So A and D.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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