The correct answer is to increase the function’s memory allocation and to implement a scheduled CloudWatch Event that invokes the function every five minutes. Increasing memory proportionally boosts CPU performance, which directly reduces the time required for runtime initialization and dependency loading, while a scheduled invocation keeps the execution environment warm by preventing the container from being reclaimed by the Lambda service. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of cold start mechanics versus elimination strategies—a common trap is confusing provisioned concurrency (which eliminates cold starts entirely) with reduction techniques, or assuming VPCs and smaller deployment packages help, when in fact VPCs add ENI creation latency and larger packages increase download time. Remember the mnemonic “Warm and Fast”: keep it warm with a schedule, make it fast with more memory.
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 can help reduce the cold start time for an AWS Lambda function? (Choose 2)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the function's memory allocation
Options A and D are correct. Increasing memory allocation also increases CPU, which can speed up initialization. Keeping the function warm by using a scheduled CloudWatch Event invokes the function periodically to prevent the container from being reclaimed. Option B is wrong because using a VPC adds network latency and increases cold start time due to ENI creation. Option C is wrong because using a larger deployment package increases download time. Option E is wrong because provisioned concurrency eliminates cold starts but is not a reduction factor; it's a different solution.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Place the Lambda function in a VPC
Why it's wrong here
VPC functions have longer cold starts due to ENI creation.
✓
Increase the function's memory allocation
Why this is correct
More memory provides more CPU, reducing initialization time.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use a larger deployment package with all dependencies included
Why it's wrong here
Larger packages increase download and extraction time during cold start.
✓
Implement a scheduled CloudWatch Event to invoke the function every 5 minutes
Why this is correct
Regular invocations keep the function warm and reduce cold start frequency.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use provisioned concurrency to pre-warm the function
Why it's wrong here
Provisioned concurrency eliminates cold starts but is not an action to reduce cold start time; it's a separate feature.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DVA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the function's memory allocation — Options A and D are correct. Increasing memory allocation also increases CPU, which can speed up initialization. Keeping the function warm by using a scheduled CloudWatch Event invokes the function periodically to prevent the container from being reclaimed. Option B is wrong because using a VPC adds network latency and increases cold start time due to ENI creation. Option C is wrong because using a larger deployment package increases download time. Option E is wrong because provisioned concurrency eliminates cold starts but is not a reduction factor; it's a different solution.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DVA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO actions can help reduce Lambda cold start times? (Choose two.)
easy
A.Increase the deployment package size.
✓ B.Increase the memory allocated to the function.
✓ C.Use Provisioned Concurrency.
D.Place the function in a VPC.
E.Reduce the function timeout.
Why B: Option B is correct because increasing memory also increases CPU, which speeds up initialization. Option C is correct because using Provisioned Concurrency keeps environments warm. Option A is incorrect because larger deployment packages increase cold start. Option D is incorrect because VPC adds network overhead, increasing cold start. Option E is incorrect because reducing memory decreases CPU, worsening cold start.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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This DVA-C02 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 DVA-C02 exam.
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