Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager, which is the correct choice because it provides a fully managed service to automate RDS patching with Systems Manager Patch Manager across your database fleet, handling both security updates and engine patches for Amazon RDS SQL Server instances. This service integrates with maintenance windows and patch baselines to schedule and apply updates without manual intervention, directly addressing the need for automated database engine patching. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between operational automation tools and other RDS features; a common trap is confusing RDS Maintenance Windows (which only handle minor engine version upgrades, not OS-level or security patching) with Patch Manager’s broader automation capability. Remember the memory tip: “Patch Manager patches everything; Maintenance Windows only upgrade minor versions.”
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. 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 company is running an Amazon RDS for SQL Server instance and wants to automate the patching of the database engine. Which AWS service should be used?
AWS Config
Why wrong: AWS Config evaluates resource configurations, not patching.
Amazon RDS Automated Backups
Why wrong: Automated backups are for point-in-time recovery.
AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager
Patch Manager can schedule and apply patches to RDS instances.
Amazon RDS Maintenance Window
Why wrong: Maintenance windows apply RDS-managed updates, but not custom patching.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager
Option C is correct because AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager can automate patching of RDS instances. Option A is wrong because RDS Automated Backups are for backups, not patching. Option B is wrong because RDS Maintenance Windows handle minor engine versions but not OS patching. Option D is wrong because AWS Config is for configuration compliance.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config evaluates resource configurations, not patching.
Amazon RDS Automated Backups
Why it's wrong here
Automated backups are for point-in-time recovery.
AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager
Why this is correct
Patch Manager can schedule and apply patches to RDS instances.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon RDS Maintenance Window
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance windows apply RDS-managed updates, but not custom patching.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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 — study guide chapter
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Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
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FAQ
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager — Option C is correct because AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager can automate patching of RDS instances. Option A is wrong because RDS Automated Backups are for backups, not patching. Option B is wrong because RDS Maintenance Windows handle minor engine versions but not OS patching. Option D is wrong because AWS Config is for configuration compliance.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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