The correct actions are to check the Evictions metric and increase the maxmemory parameter. Monitoring Evictions reveals how often Redis is forcibly removing keys due to the maxmemory policy, which directly indicates memory pressure, while raising maxmemory provides more headroom for data, alleviating high usage. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between troubleshooting steps and permanent configuration changes—a common trap is confusing Reserved Memory (which reserves RAM for Redis overhead) with a fix for high usage, or mistaking cluster mode enablement for a memory solution. Remember that evictions are the first sign of memory strain, and adjusting maxmemory is the immediate lever to pull. Memory tip: “Evictions first, then maxmemory—don’t reserve what you haven’t measured.”
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.
Which TWO actions should be taken to troubleshoot high memory usage on an Amazon ElastiCache for Redis node? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Monitor the Evictions CloudWatch metric.
Options A and D are correct. Checking the evictions metric (Evictions) shows if memory is being freed due to maxmemory policy. Increasing the maxmemory parameter can alleviate memory pressure. Option B (enabling Reserved Memory) reserves memory for overhead, not a troubleshooting step. Option C (monitoring CPUUtilization) is for CPU, not memory. Option E (enabling cluster mode) is a configuration change, not a troubleshooting step.
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.
✓
Monitor the Evictions CloudWatch metric.
Why this is correct
Evictions indicate memory pressure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Increase the maxmemory parameter to allow more memory usage.
Why this is correct
Increasing maxmemory can reduce evictions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Monitor CPUUtilization CloudWatch metric.
Why it's wrong here
CPUUtilization is not directly related to memory usage.
✗
Enable cluster mode to distribute memory across shards.
Why it's wrong here
Cluster mode is a design change, not a troubleshooting step.
✗
Enable Reserved Memory parameter group setting.
Why it's wrong here
Reserved Memory is for overhead, not a troubleshooting step for high memory usage.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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: Monitor the Evictions CloudWatch metric. — Options A and D are correct. Checking the evictions metric (Evictions) shows if memory is being freed due to maxmemory policy. Increasing the maxmemory parameter can alleviate memory pressure. Option B (enabling Reserved Memory) reserves memory for overhead, not a troubleshooting step. Option C (monitoring CPUUtilization) is for CPU, not memory. Option E (enabling cluster mode) is a configuration change, not a troubleshooting step.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.