- A
Examine Amazon CloudWatch metrics for increased CPU or memory usage
Why wrong: CloudWatch metrics show CPU or memory usage but do not directly indicate the reason for the failover.
- B
Check the RDS console for maintenance windows
Why wrong: The RDS console shows maintenance windows, but unexpected failovers are not necessarily due to maintenance; RDS events and CloudTrail provide more direct information.
- C
Review RDS events and AWS CloudTrail logs for API calls related to the failover
RDS events and CloudTrail logs capture API calls and system events that can reveal the exact cause of the failover, such as a manual failover request or underlying hardware issues.
- D
Run the describe-db-instances CLI command to check the status of the standby
Why wrong: The describe-db-instances command shows current state but not the history of why a failover occurred.
RDS Multi-AZ Failover Investigation
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 runs an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL DB instance with Multi-AZ enabled. The primary instance is in us-east-1a and the standby is in us-east-1b. During a routine audit, the security team discovers that database connections are being terminated unexpectedly. The database administrator reviews the RDS events and sees an event: 'A Multi-AZ failover has been completed.' What step should be taken to determine the cause of this failover?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
Review RDS events and AWS CloudTrail logs for API calls related to the failover
Reviewing RDS events and AWS CloudTrail logs is the correct step because these services record detailed information about the failover, including any API calls that may have triggered the failover or underlying issues. Option A is incorrect because CloudWatch metrics show resource utilization (CPU, memory) but do not directly indicate the cause of a failover. Option B is incorrect because maintenance windows are scheduled events; although they may cause failovers, simply checking the console for maintenance windows does not provide a definitive cause for an unexpected failover. Option D is incorrect because the describe-db-instances CLI command shows the current status of instances (e.g., whether the standby is available) but does not provide historical information about why the failover occurred.
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.
- ✗
Examine Amazon CloudWatch metrics for increased CPU or memory usage
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch metrics show CPU or memory usage but do not directly indicate the reason for the failover.
- ✗
Check the RDS console for maintenance windows
Why it's wrong here
The RDS console shows maintenance windows, but unexpected failovers are not necessarily due to maintenance; RDS events and CloudTrail provide more direct information.
- ✓
Review RDS events and AWS CloudTrail logs for API calls related to the failover
Why this is correct
RDS events and CloudTrail logs capture API calls and system events that can reveal the exact cause of the failover, such as a manual failover request or underlying hardware issues.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run the describe-db-instances CLI command to check the status of the standby
Why it's wrong here
The describe-db-instances command shows current state but not the history of why a failover occurred.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
CloudWatch metrics show CPU or memory usage but do not directly indicate the reason for the failover.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Review RDS events and AWS CloudTrail logs for API calls related to the failover — Reviewing RDS events and AWS CloudTrail logs is the correct step because these services record detailed information about the failover, including any API calls that may have triggered the failover or underlying issues. Option A is incorrect because CloudWatch metrics show resource utilization (CPU, memory) but do not directly indicate the cause of a failover. Option B is incorrect because maintenance windows are scheduled events; although they may cause failovers, simply checking the console for maintenance windows does not provide a definitive cause for an unexpected failover. Option D is incorrect because the describe-db-instances CLI command shows the current status of instances (e.g., whether the standby is available) but does not provide historical information about why the failover occurred.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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