- A
Migrate to gp3 storage.
Why wrong: Changing the storage type from gp2 to gp3 does not increase the storage capacity; it only changes the performance characteristics.
- B
Add a read replica to offload queries.
Why wrong: Adding a read replica offloads read traffic but does not increase the storage available on the primary DB instance.
- C
Take a snapshot and restore to a larger instance.
Why wrong: Taking a snapshot and restoring to a larger instance incurs downtime and is more complex than a simple storage modification.
- D
Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage.
Modifying the DB instance to increase allocated storage can be done without downtime, as RDS supports dynamic storage scaling.
Question 462 of 1,730
DBS-C01 Monitoring and Troubleshooting Practice Question
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?
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
✓
Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage.
Option D is correct because Amazon RDS allows you to modify the allocated storage for a DB instance dynamically without downtime; the change takes effect during the next maintenance window or can be applied immediately. Option A is incorrect because migrating from gp2 to gp3 changes the storage type but does not increase the storage capacity. Option B is incorrect because adding a read replica does not increase storage on the primary instance; it only offloads read traffic. Option C is incorrect because while you can restore a snapshot to a larger instance, this process involves downtime and is not as straightforward as modifying the storage directly.
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.
- ✗
Migrate to gp3 storage.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the storage type from gp2 to gp3 does not increase the storage capacity; it only changes the performance characteristics.
- ✗
Add a read replica to offload queries.
Why it's wrong here
Adding a read replica offloads read traffic but does not increase the storage available on the primary DB instance.
- ✗
Take a snapshot and restore to a larger instance.
Why it's wrong here
Taking a snapshot and restoring to a larger instance incurs downtime and is more complex than a simple storage modification.
- ✓
Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage.
Why this is correct
Modifying the DB instance to increase allocated storage can be done without downtime, as RDS supports dynamic storage scaling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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
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.
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Monitoring and Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Modify the DB instance to increase allocated storage. — Option D is correct because Amazon RDS allows you to modify the allocated storage for a DB instance dynamically without downtime; the change takes effect during the next maintenance window or can be applied immediately. Option A is incorrect because migrating from gp2 to gp3 changes the storage type but does not increase the storage capacity. Option B is incorrect because adding a read replica does not increase storage on the primary instance; it only offloads read traffic. Option C is incorrect because while you can restore a snapshot to a larger instance, this process involves downtime and is not as straightforward as modifying the storage directly.
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.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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