Quick Answer
The answer is the DatabaseConnections CloudWatch metric. This metric is correct because it directly tracks the number of client connections to your RDS for Oracle instance, allowing you to compare it against the maximum connections setting (typically defined by the `max_connections` parameter in the parameter group) to trigger an alert at 90% capacity. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of the specific CloudWatch metric for database connections in RDS Oracle, often appearing in monitoring and alerting scenarios where you must distinguish it from metrics like ActiveTransactions (which tracks open transactions, not connections) or ReadIOPS (which measures disk throughput). A common trap is confusing connection counts with transaction counts or throughput, so remember that DatabaseConnections is the only metric that directly reflects client session load. Memory tip: think "Connections = Count of Clients" to avoid mixing it up with performance or transaction metrics.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. 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 uses Amazon CloudWatch to monitor an RDS for Oracle instance. They want to receive an alert when the database connection count exceeds 90% of the maximum connections. Which CloudWatch metric should be used to create the alarm?
ActiveTransactions
Why wrong: Incorrect. This metric tracks open transactions, not connections.
DatabaseConnections
Correct. This metric directly reflects the number of connections.
ReadIOPS
Why wrong: Incorrect. This measures disk operations, not connections.
NetworkThroughput
Why wrong: Incorrect. This measures network traffic, not connections.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DatabaseConnections
Option A is correct because DatabaseConnections tracks the number of client connections. Option B is wrong because ActiveTransactions measures transactions. Option C is wrong because NetworkThroughput measures network traffic. Option D is wrong because ReadIOPS measures disk I/O.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
ActiveTransactions
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This metric tracks open transactions, not connections.
DatabaseConnections
Why this is correct
Correct. This metric directly reflects the number of connections.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
ReadIOPS
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This measures disk operations, not connections.
NetworkThroughput
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This measures network traffic, not connections.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
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
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Monitoring and Troubleshooting practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: DatabaseConnections — Option A is correct because DatabaseConnections tracks the number of client connections. Option B is wrong because ActiveTransactions measures transactions. Option C is wrong because NetworkThroughput measures network traffic. Option D is wrong because ReadIOPS measures disk I/O.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.