DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
A startup needs a fully managed relational database with automated backups and scaling. They expect unpredictable workloads. Which AWS service meets these requirements?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse DynamoDB's on-demand scaling with relational database requirements, overlooking that DynamoDB is NoSQL and not relational, or they mistakenly think Redshift's scaling capabilities apply to transactional workloads.
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
✓
Amazon Aurora Serverless
Amazon Aurora Serverless is a fully managed relational database that automatically scales capacity up or down based on application demand, making it ideal for unpredictable workloads. It also provides automated backups, continuous backups to Amazon S3, and point-in-time recovery, meeting all stated requirements.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
NoSQL, not relational.
- ✗
Amazon Redshift
Why it's wrong here
Data warehouse, not transactional relational database.
- ✓
Amazon Aurora Serverless
Why this is correct
Fully managed relational database with auto-scaling and backups.
- ✗
Amazon ElastiCache
Why it's wrong here
In-memory cache, not a database with durable storage.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.