DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
CloudWatch Logs snippet:
"2023-01-15T10:00:00Z [ERROR] ... Timeout error while writing to Amazon Redshift cluster."
Cluster configuration: dc2.large, 2 nodes, RA3 nodes not used.
A data analyst reports that a nightly ETL job to Amazon Redshift is failing with timeout errors shown in the exhibit. The cluster is a dc2.large with 2 nodes. The ETL job inserts large volumes of data. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The cluster has insufficient disk space for the data load.
Option C is correct because dc2 nodes have limited local SSD storage; if the cluster runs out of disk space, writes time out. Option A is wrong because Redshift does not have a max_connections parameter like RDS. Option B is wrong because network ACLs would cause connection failures, not timeouts after connection. Option D is wrong because WLM queue timeouts cause different errors.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The cluster has reached the maximum number of connections.
Why it's wrong here
Redshift does not have a hard max_connections limit.
✗
The workload manager (WLM) queue timeout is too low.
Why it's wrong here
WLM timeout would result in a different error message.
✗
The security group is blocking inbound traffic from the ETL server.
Why it's wrong here
Blocked traffic would prevent connection, not cause timeout during writes.
✓
The cluster has insufficient disk space for the data load.
Why this is correct
dc2 nodes use local SSD; full disk causes write failures.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
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
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 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.
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cluster has insufficient disk space for the data load. — Option C is correct because dc2 nodes have limited local SSD storage; if the cluster runs out of disk space, writes time out. Option A is wrong because Redshift does not have a max_connections parameter like RDS. Option B is wrong because network ACLs would cause connection failures, not timeouts after connection. Option D is wrong because WLM queue timeouts cause different errors.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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