- A
Create a read replica to offload read traffic
Why wrong: Read replicas don't reduce writer CPU.
- B
Use Performance Insights to identify top SQL queries
Performance Insights shows top queries by CPU.
- C
Increase the instance size to handle the load
Why wrong: Scaling up is a reaction, not a diagnostic step.
- D
Modify the DB instance class to a burstable type
Why wrong: Changing class is a fix, not diagnosis.
- E
Enable Enhanced Monitoring to view OS-level metrics
Enhanced Monitoring shows per-process CPU usage.
Question 914 of 1,730
High CPU on RDS SQL Server — Use Performance Insights and Enhanced Monitoring
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: performance Insights. 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 database specialist is troubleshooting an Amazon RDS for SQL Server instance that is experiencing high CPU utilization. The instance has multiple databases. Which TWO actions should the specialist take to identify the cause?
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
✓
Use Performance Insights to identify top SQL queries
Options B and E are correct because Performance Insights helps identify top SQL queries causing high CPU, and Enhanced Monitoring provides OS-level metrics (like CPU utilization per database process) to pinpoint the source. Option A is wrong: read replicas offload read traffic but do not diagnose CPU issues. Option C is wrong: increasing instance size is a remediation, not a diagnostic step. Option D is wrong: changing to a burstable instance class is also a remediation, not diagnostic.
Key principle: Performance Insights
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a read replica to offload read traffic
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas don't reduce writer CPU.
- ✓
Use Performance Insights to identify top SQL queries
Why this is correct
Performance Insights shows top queries by CPU.
Related concept
Performance Insights
- ✗
Increase the instance size to handle the load
Why it's wrong here
Scaling up is a reaction, not a diagnostic step.
- ✗
Modify the DB instance class to a burstable type
Why it's wrong here
Changing class is a fix, not diagnosis.
- ✓
Enable Enhanced Monitoring to view OS-level metrics
Why this is correct
Enhanced Monitoring shows per-process CPU usage.
Related concept
Performance Insights
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Performance Insights
- Enhanced Monitoring
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Performance Insights
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. Performance Insights 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review performance Insights, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Monitoring and Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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Monitoring and Troubleshooting practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Performance Insights.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Performance Insights to identify top SQL queries — Options B and E are correct because Performance Insights helps identify top SQL queries causing high CPU, and Enhanced Monitoring provides OS-level metrics (like CPU utilization per database process) to pinpoint the source. Option A is wrong: read replicas offload read traffic but do not diagnose CPU issues. Option C is wrong: increasing instance size is a remediation, not a diagnostic step. Option D is wrong: changing to a burstable instance class is also a remediation, not diagnostic.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review performance Insights, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Performance Insights
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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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