Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon Neptune and Amazon Aurora Global Database. Neptune is the correct choice for the graph database requirement because it is purpose-built to store and navigate highly connected data, efficiently running complex graph queries like finding friends of friends who share a specific interest. Aurora Global Database addresses the need for multi-region replication by providing low-latency global reads and disaster recovery across AWS Regions, ensuring high availability. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to match specialized database engines to specific workload patterns—graph traversal versus global replication—and it often traps candidates into picking DynamoDB Global Tables for replication alone, forgetting that DynamoDB is not a graph database. A key memory tip is to think of Neptune for the “web of relationships” and Aurora Global Database for the “worldwide reach,” combining graph-native power with global resilience.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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 is designing a database for a social media analytics platform that requires: 1) storing relationships between users, posts, and interests; 2) running complex graph queries like 'find all friends of friends who like topic X'; 3) high availability with multi-region replication. Which TWO AWS services should they consider? (Choose TWO.)
Amazon Neptune
Neptune is purpose-built for graph queries.
Amazon Redshift
Why wrong: Redshift is for data warehousing, not graph queries.
Amazon Aurora Global Database
Aurora Global Database provides multi-region replication for relational data; can be used alongside Neptune.
Amazon DynamoDB with Global Tables
Why wrong: DynamoDB is not a graph database.
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why wrong: ElastiCache is for caching, not graph storage.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon Neptune
Option B (Neptune) is correct for graph queries. Option D (Global Database for Aurora) provides multi-region replication for relational data, but for graph queries Neptune is primary. Since Neptune does not natively support multi-region replication, the platform might use Aurora for metadata and Neptune for graph, but the question expects two services. Alternatively, DynamoDB Global Tables for key-value and Neptune for graph. However, given options, B and D are the best combined for graph and replication. Option A (DynamoDB) is not graph. Option C (Redshift) is analytics. Option E (ElastiCache) is caching.
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.
Amazon Neptune
Why this is correct
Neptune is purpose-built for graph queries.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon Redshift
Why it's wrong here
Redshift is for data warehousing, not graph queries.
Amazon Aurora Global Database
Why this is correct
Aurora Global Database provides multi-region replication for relational data; can be used alongside Neptune.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon DynamoDB with Global Tables
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is not a graph database.
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache is for caching, not graph storage.
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
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
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.
Workload-Specific Database Design — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Workload-Specific Database Design practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Amazon Neptune — Option B (Neptune) is correct for graph queries. Option D (Global Database for Aurora) provides multi-region replication for relational data, but for graph queries Neptune is primary. Since Neptune does not natively support multi-region replication, the platform might use Aurora for metadata and Neptune for graph, but the question expects two services. Alternatively, DynamoDB Global Tables for key-value and Neptune for graph. However, given options, B and D are the best combined for graph and replication. Option A (DynamoDB) is not graph. Option C (Redshift) is analytics. Option E (ElastiCache) is caching.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.