The answer is Amazon CloudWatch, specifically using CloudWatch metrics and alarms to monitor DynamoDB capacity utilization. CloudWatch tracks key metrics like ConsumedReadCapacityUnits and ConsumedWriteCapacityUnits, allowing you to set thresholds that trigger alarms when read or write capacity consumption approaches your table’s provisioned limits. This is correct because CloudWatch provides the native monitoring layer for DynamoDB performance, while other services like CloudTrail or AWS Config serve different purposes—CloudTrail logs API calls, not capacity data, and Config tracks configuration changes. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of which service directly surfaces capacity metrics for alerting; a common trap is confusing CloudWatch Logs (for log events) or DynamoDB Auto Scaling (which adjusts capacity but does not monitor it) with the actual alarm service. Remember the mnemonic: “CloudWatch watches the watch—capacity alarms live in CloudWatch, not in logs or trails.”
DBS-C01 Monitoring and Troubleshooting Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. 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 company is using Amazon DynamoDB and wants to monitor the read/write capacity utilization of a table. Which TWO AWS services can be used to set up alarms for capacity consumption?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Options A and B are correct. CloudWatch provides metrics like ConsumedReadCapacityUnits and can trigger alarms. CloudWatch Logs can capture log events but is not directly used for capacity alarms. CloudTrail records API calls, not capacity metrics. DynamoDB Auto Scaling adjusts capacity but does not monitor. AWS Config tracks configuration changes, not capacity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Amazon DynamoDB Auto Scaling
Why it's wrong here
Auto Scaling adjusts capacity but does not monitor or alarm.
✗
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail records API activity, not capacity consumption.
✓
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why this is correct
CloudWatch Logs can be used with metric filters to monitor log entries for capacity events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Amazon CloudWatch
Why this is correct
CloudWatch provides capacity metrics and alarms.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config tracks resource configurations, not capacity.
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
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon CloudWatch Logs — Options A and B are correct. CloudWatch provides metrics like ConsumedReadCapacityUnits and can trigger alarms. CloudWatch Logs can capture log events but is not directly used for capacity alarms. CloudTrail records API calls, not capacity metrics. DynamoDB Auto Scaling adjusts capacity but does not monitor. AWS Config tracks configuration changes, not capacity.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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
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