Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the database is deployed in a Multi-AZ configuration. This is confirmed because the AWS CLI command output explicitly shows the field `"multi-az": True` alongside a `"DBInstanceStatus": "creating"` state, which directly indicates that the instance is being provisioned with a synchronous standby replica in a different Availability Zone. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this tests your ability to parse JSON output from the `describe-db-instances` CLI command and distinguish between Multi-AZ and read replica deployments. A common trap is confusing the `creating` status with a single-AZ setup, but the `multi-az` key is the definitive flag. Remember the memory tip: “Multi-AZ is a pair, look for the `True` in the `multi-az` lair.”
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 runs the above command. The database is currently in a healthy state. Which statement is true about this database?
The database engine is Amazon Aurora
Why wrong: The engine is MySQL, not Aurora.
The database uses a burstable instance class
Why wrong: db.r5.large is a memory-optimized instance, not burstable.
The database is deployed in a Multi-AZ configuration
MultiAZ is true, so it has a standby in another AZ.
The database has a read replica in another region
Why wrong: Multi-AZ is for high availability, not read replicas.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The database is deployed in a Multi-AZ configuration
Option C is correct because the command output shows the database is in the 'creating' state with 'multi-az': True. This explicitly indicates that the database is being deployed in a Multi-AZ configuration, which provides high availability by synchronously replicating data to a standby instance in a different Availability Zone.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The database engine is Amazon Aurora
Why it's wrong here
The engine is MySQL, not Aurora.
The database uses a burstable instance class
Why it's wrong here
db.r5.large is a memory-optimized instance, not burstable.
The database is deployed in a Multi-AZ configuration
Why this is correct
MultiAZ is true, so it has a standby in another AZ.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The database has a read replica in another region
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ is for high availability, not read replicas.
Common exam traps
AWS often tests the distinction between Multi-AZ and read replicas, where candidates mistakenly think 'multi-az': True implies a read replica or cross-region setup, but Multi-AZ is solely for high availability within a single region, not for read scaling or disaster recovery across regions.
Detailed technical explanation
Multi-AZ deployments in Amazon RDS use synchronous replication to a standby instance in a different Availability Zone, with automatic failover handled by a DNS CNAME update. The 'creating' state with 'multi-az': True means the primary and standby are being provisioned simultaneously; during failover, the standby becomes the new primary, and the DNS record is updated, typically within 60-120 seconds. This is distinct from read replicas, which use asynchronous replication and are visible under 'read_replica': True.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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FAQ
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The database is deployed in a Multi-AZ configuration — Option C is correct because the command output shows the database is in the 'creating' state with 'multi-az': True. This explicitly indicates that the database is being deployed in a Multi-AZ configuration, which provides high availability by synchronously replicating data to a standby instance in a different Availability Zone.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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