- A
Implement read replicas for the RDS database and modify the application to use read replicas for read queries.
Why wrong: While read replicas can offload read traffic, they require application changes and do not address write spikes. The problem is CPU overload from connections, not read/write ratio.
- B
Increase the instance size of the RDS database to a larger instance type to handle more connections.
Why wrong: Scaling vertically is costly and may not address connection burst issues. It also requires downtime.
- C
Use Amazon RDS Proxy between the application and the database to pool and reuse connections.
RDS Proxy reduces the number of database connections, lowering CPU usage and improving scalability.
- D
Configure Auto Scaling to launch EC2 instances based on a custom metric that tracks database CPU utilization, and throttle the number of instances.
Why wrong: Throttling instances could reduce application availability and does not solve the connection pooling problem.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use Amazon RDS Proxy between the application and the database to pool and reuse connections. This is correct because RDS Proxy efficiently manages database connections, reducing the CPU overhead caused by establishing and tearing down connections, and provides connection pooling that absorbs traffic spikes without overwhelming the database. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how connection pooling decouples application scaling from database load, a common trap being to scale the database vertically or add read replicas, which increases cost without addressing the connection surge. Remember the key insight: when Auto Scaling adds instances, each new instance opens new connections, so RDS Proxy acts as a buffer to reuse existing connections and prevent CPU exhaustion. A useful memory tip is "Proxy pools, database cools"—the proxy pools connections so the database stays cool under pressure.
DOP-C02 Resilient Cloud Solutions Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of resilient cloud solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 a high-traffic web application on a fleet of EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer (ALB) with Auto Scaling. The application uses an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL database. Recently, during a traffic spike, the application became unresponsive. Investigation revealed that the database CPU utilization reached 100%, causing queries to timeout. The Auto Scaling group added more EC2 instances, which only increased the load on the database. The DevOps team needs to implement a solution that prevents the database from being overwhelmed during traffic spikes while maintaining application availability. The solution must be cost-effective and require minimal changes to the application code. Which solution should the DevOps team implement?
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
Use Amazon RDS Proxy between the application and the database to pool and reuse connections.
RDS Proxy manages database connections efficiently, reducing the number of connections and CPU overhead. It also provides connection pooling, which helps handle spikes without overwhelming the database.
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.
- ✗
Implement read replicas for the RDS database and modify the application to use read replicas for read queries.
Why it's wrong here
While read replicas can offload read traffic, they require application changes and do not address write spikes. The problem is CPU overload from connections, not read/write ratio.
- ✗
Increase the instance size of the RDS database to a larger instance type to handle more connections.
Why it's wrong here
Scaling vertically is costly and may not address connection burst issues. It also requires downtime.
- ✓
Use Amazon RDS Proxy between the application and the database to pool and reuse connections.
Why this is correct
RDS Proxy reduces the number of database connections, lowering CPU usage and improving scalability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure Auto Scaling to launch EC2 instances based on a custom metric that tracks database CPU utilization, and throttle the number of instances.
Why it's wrong here
Throttling instances could reduce application availability and does not solve the connection pooling problem.
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 DOP-C02 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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Resilient Cloud Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Resilient Cloud Solutions — This question tests Resilient Cloud Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Amazon RDS Proxy between the application and the database to pool and reuse connections. — RDS Proxy manages database connections efficiently, reducing the number of connections and CPU overhead. It also provides connection pooling, which helps handle spikes without overwhelming the database.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DOP-C02 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
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DOP-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 DOP-C02 exam.
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