- A
Disable Multi-AZ to free up resources
Why wrong: Multi-AZ is for high availability, not performance; disabling it does not reduce CPU.
- B
Increase the allocated storage
Why wrong: Increasing storage does not directly reduce CPU utilization.
- C
Enable Performance Insights to optimize queries
Why wrong: Performance Insights helps with analysis but does not reduce CPU load.
- D
Create a read replica and direct read traffic to it
Offloading reads to a read replica reduces CPU load on the primary instance.
DBS-C01 Monitoring and Troubleshooting Practice Question
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 database administrator notices that an Amazon RDS for Oracle DB instance's CPU utilization is consistently above 90% during peak hours. The application is read-heavy. Which action can reduce CPU load?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a read replica and direct read traffic to it
Option B is correct because creating a read replica offloads read traffic from the primary instance, reducing CPU usage. Option A is wrong because increasing instance size may help but is more costly; also, read replica is a better practice for read-heavy workloads. Option C is wrong because disabling Multi-AZ reduces availability, not CPU. Option D is wrong because enabling Performance Insights adds overhead, not reduces CPU.
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.
- ✗
Disable Multi-AZ to free up resources
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ is for high availability, not performance; disabling it does not reduce CPU.
- ✗
Increase the allocated storage
Why it's wrong here
Increasing storage does not directly reduce CPU utilization.
- ✗
Enable Performance Insights to optimize queries
Why it's wrong here
Performance Insights helps with analysis but does not reduce CPU load.
- ✓
Create a read replica and direct read traffic to it
Why this is correct
Offloading reads to a read replica reduces CPU load on the primary instance.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a read replica and direct read traffic to it — Option B is correct because creating a read replica offloads read traffic from the primary instance, reducing CPU usage. Option A is wrong because increasing instance size may help but is more costly; also, read replica is a better practice for read-heavy workloads. Option C is wrong because disabling Multi-AZ reduces availability, not CPU. Option D is wrong because enabling Performance Insights adds overhead, not reduces CPU.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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