DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. A CloudFormation stack was deployed to create an RDS instance. The application team reports they cannot connect to the database using the endpoint provided. The security group allows inbound traffic on port 3306 from the application's security group. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates focus on network connectivity issues (security groups, endpoints) and overlook the fact that authentication credentials are not automatically provided in stack outputs, leading them to choose options like B or D instead of recognizing the password mismatch as the root cause.
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
✓
The database password is not provided in the stack outputs; the team may be using the wrong password
The CloudFormation stack outputs typically do not include the database password for security reasons. The application team may be using an incorrect password, which would cause authentication failures even if the network connectivity and security group rules are properly configured. Without the correct password, the RDS instance will reject the connection attempt at the MySQL/MariaDB protocol level.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The RDS instance is in a Multi-AZ deployment and the endpoint is for the standby
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ uses the same endpoint; failover is transparent.
- ✗
The security group inbound rule is missing the port 3306
Why it's wrong here
The stem says the security group allows inbound on 3306.
- ✓
The database password is not provided in the stack outputs; the team may be using the wrong password
Why this is correct
The password is not output; they likely need to retrieve it from Secrets Manager.
- ✗
The RDS endpoint is incorrect; it should include the port number
Why it's wrong here
The endpoint alone is sufficient; the client can use default port.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.