The correct answer is to enable Performance Insights and use the db.sql_tokenized dimension to analyze connections by user and application. This works because Performance Insights captures database load and breaks it down by dimensions like user, application, and SQL text, allowing you to identify who is connecting to PostgreSQL performance insights and pinpoint the source of excessive connections. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between monitoring tools: Enhanced Monitoring shows OS-level metrics but not SQL or user details, VPC Flow Logs track network traffic only, and CloudTrail records API calls—none of which help with tracking database connections by user and application in PostgreSQL. A common trap is confusing Enhanced Monitoring with Performance Insights, so remember that Performance Insights is the only service that provides SQL-level and user-level grouping. Memory tip: think “PI for People and SQL”—Performance Insights gives you the user and application dimensions, not just system stats.
DBS-C01 Monitoring and Troubleshooting Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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's Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instance is experiencing a high number of connections, causing performance degradation. The DBA wants to identify which user and application are creating the most connections. What should the DBA do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Performance Insights and use the 'db.sql_tokenized' dimension to analyze connections by user.
Option D is correct because Performance Insights with the db.sql_tokenized dimension allows grouping by user and application. Option A is wrong because RDS Enhanced Monitoring does not show SQL-level details. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not database connections. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not database connections.
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.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log database logins.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail does not capture database-level login events.
✓
Enable Performance Insights and use the 'db.sql_tokenized' dimension to analyze connections by user.
Why this is correct
Performance Insights provides SQL-level performance data, including top users and applications.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Enhanced Monitoring and check the 'Connection Count' metric.
Why it's wrong here
Enhanced Monitoring provides OS metrics, not per-user connection details.
✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs to track connection attempts.
Why it's wrong here
Flow logs capture network flows, not database user connections.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Performance Insights and use the 'db.sql_tokenized' dimension to analyze connections by user. — Option D is correct because Performance Insights with the db.sql_tokenized dimension allows grouping by user and application. Option A is wrong because RDS Enhanced Monitoring does not show SQL-level details. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not database connections. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not database connections.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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