The answer is Amazon RDS Database Activity Streams, as this is the only AWS service that captures and streams every SQL query executed on an RDS for SQL Server instance in near real-time for auditing purposes. Database Activity Streams work by pushing a continuous feed of database-level activity, including all SQL statements, to Amazon Kinesis, where it can be consumed by monitoring and auditing tools. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between AWS services that log different layers: CloudTrail logs API calls (not SQL), CloudWatch Logs stores logs but requires a configured source, and VPC Flow Logs captures network metadata. A common trap is confusing CloudTrail with database auditing, but remember that CloudTrail sees the control plane, not the data plane. Memory tip: think "SQL = Database Activity Streams," because streams capture the actual queries inside the database, not the infrastructure around it.
DBS-C01 Management and Operations Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 needs to audit all SQL queries executed on an Amazon RDS for SQL Server database. Which AWS service should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon RDS Database Activity Streams
Option C is correct because database activity streams provide a near real-time feed of database activity for auditing. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not SQL queries. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can store logs but needs a source; RDS does not natively send SQL logs to CloudWatch. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not SQL queries.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 RDS Database Activity Streams
Why this is correct
Database Activity Streams capture database activity such as SQL queries in near real-time.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Amazon VPC Flow Logs
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic information, not database queries.
✗
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs can store logs but requires an agent or integration; RDS does not automatically send SQL queries.
✗
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail records API calls made to AWS services, not SQL queries.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon RDS Database Activity Streams — Option C is correct because database activity streams provide a near real-time feed of database activity for auditing. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not SQL queries. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can store logs but needs a source; RDS does not natively send SQL logs to CloudWatch. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not SQL queries.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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
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