The correct actions are enabling backup compression and using Provisioned IOPS. Backup compression reduces the physical size of the backup data, which directly improves RDS backup performance by shortening the time needed to transfer the backup to Amazon S3, while Provisioned IOPS ensures consistent, high-throughput disk I/O so the database can read data faster during the backup process. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to optimize backup and restore operations without compromising availability or cost—common traps include confusing retention period with performance or assuming a smaller instance class speeds up backups. To remember, think “compress and IOPS” as the two levers that directly cut backup time, not retention or instance size.
DBS-C01 Management and Operations Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. 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 company is using Amazon RDS for Oracle with Automated Backups enabled. The database size is 1 TB. The company wants to improve the backup and restore performance. Which TWO actions should be taken? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Provisioned IOPS storage for the database.
Option A is correct because enabling backup compression reduces backup size and speeds up transfers. Option B is correct because using Provisioned IOPS improves I/O performance for backups. Option C is wrong because increasing retention does not improve performance. Option D is wrong because disabling Multi-AZ reduces availability. Option E is wrong because using a smaller instance class would worsen performance.
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.
✓
Use Provisioned IOPS storage for the database.
Why this is correct
Higher IOPS improves backup and restore throughput.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Enable backup compression.
Why this is correct
Compression reduces the amount of data written and transferred.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use a smaller DB instance class to reduce backup size.
Why it's wrong here
Smaller instance class would have lower performance.
✗
Increase the backup retention period to 35 days.
Why it's wrong here
Retention period does not affect backup speed.
✗
Disable Multi-AZ to reduce backup time.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling Multi-AZ reduces availability and may not improve backup performance.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Provisioned IOPS storage for the database. — Option A is correct because enabling backup compression reduces backup size and speeds up transfers. Option B is correct because using Provisioned IOPS improves I/O performance for backups. Option C is wrong because increasing retention does not improve performance. Option D is wrong because disabling Multi-AZ reduces availability. Option E is wrong because using a smaller instance class would worsen performance.
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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Question Discussion
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