Quick Answer
The answer is that the database is a read replica of another instance, as confirmed by the presence of the ReadReplicaSourceDBInstanceIdentifier field in the describe output. This field explicitly points to the source instance from which the replica is created, meaning the database in question is not the primary but a downstream copy. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this tests your ability to parse the describe-db-instances output and distinguish between read replicas, Multi-AZ deployments, and primary instances—a common trap is assuming that MultiAZ=true means the instance is a primary, but a read replica can also be deployed in Multi-AZ for high availability. To identify RDS read replicas from describe output, always look for the ReadReplicaSourceDBInstanceIdentifier key; if it’s present, the instance is a replica, regardless of other fields like Engine or MultiAZ. Memory tip: “Source equals slave”—if you see a source identifier, you’re looking at a read replica.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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 developer runs the command shown and gets the output. Which conclusion can be drawn about the database configuration?
The database is a Multi-AZ read replica
Why wrong: Multi-AZ is for high availability, not read replicas.
The database engine is Aurora MySQL
Why wrong: Engine is mysql, not aurora-mysql.
The database is a primary instance in a Multi-AZ deployment
Why wrong: It is a read replica, not primary.
The database is a read replica of another instance
ReadReplicaSourceDBInstanceIdentifier indicates it is a replica.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The database is a read replica of another instance
Option B is correct: the ReadReplicaSourceDBInstanceIdentifier field shows that this instance is a read replica of 'mydb-read-replica', meaning it is not the primary. Option A is wrong because the MultiAZ field is true for this instance, but it is a replica. Option C is wrong because the replica is in Multi-AZ, but it is still a read replica. Option D is wrong because the engine is mysql.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The database is a Multi-AZ read replica
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ is for high availability, not read replicas.
The database engine is Aurora MySQL
Why it's wrong here
Engine is mysql, not aurora-mysql.
The database is a primary instance in a Multi-AZ deployment
Why it's wrong here
It is a read replica, not primary.
The database is a read replica of another instance
Why this is correct
ReadReplicaSourceDBInstanceIdentifier indicates it is a replica.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Workload-Specific Database Design — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The database is a read replica of another instance — Option B is correct: the ReadReplicaSourceDBInstanceIdentifier field shows that this instance is a read replica of 'mydb-read-replica', meaning it is not the primary. Option A is wrong because the MultiAZ field is true for this instance, but it is a replica. Option C is wrong because the replica is in Multi-AZ, but it is still a read replica. Option D is wrong because the engine is mysql.
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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