Quick Answer
The correct answer is to modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage. This works because Amazon RDS supports online storage scaling for most database engines, including SQL Server on gp2, allowing you to increase the allocated storage size without any downtime or performance impact; the change takes effect immediately or during the next maintenance window depending on your settings, but the instance remains fully available throughout the process. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of RDS storage modifications versus common misconceptions—many candidates mistakenly think they need a snapshot or a read replica to resize storage, but those actions do not increase capacity on the primary instance. A key trap is assuming gp3 is always an option, but SQL Server on RDS does not support gp3, so gp2 modifications are the correct path. Memory tip: “Modify, not migrate—RDS storage grows online, no downtime required.”
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. 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 team is troubleshooting an Amazon RDS for SQL Server instance that is running out of storage. The instance uses General Purpose SSD (gp2) storage. The team wants to increase storage without downtime. Which action should they take?
Migrate to gp3 storage.
Why wrong: Incorrect. gp3 is not supported for RDS for SQL Server.
Add a read replica to offload queries.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Read replicas do not increase storage capacity.
Take a snapshot and restore to a larger instance.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Restoring from snapshot incurs downtime.
Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage.
Correct. RDS allows modifying storage online without downtime.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage.
Option D is correct because RDS supports modifying storage settings without downtime, and the change occurs during the next maintenance window. Option A is wrong because creating a snapshot does not increase storage. Option B is wrong because gp3 is not supported for SQL Server. Option C is wrong because read replicas do not increase storage on the primary.
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.
Migrate to gp3 storage.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. gp3 is not supported for RDS for SQL Server.
Add a read replica to offload queries.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Read replicas do not increase storage capacity.
Take a snapshot and restore to a larger instance.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Restoring from snapshot incurs downtime.
Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage.
Why this is correct
Correct. RDS allows modifying storage online without downtime.
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 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
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.
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FAQ
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage. — Option D is correct because RDS supports modifying storage settings without downtime, and the change occurs during the next maintenance window. Option A is wrong because creating a snapshot does not increase storage. Option B is wrong because gp3 is not supported for SQL Server. Option C is wrong because read replicas do not increase storage on the primary.
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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