The correct answer is to enable DynamoDB Auto Scaling for read and write capacity and implement DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) caching. Auto Scaling dynamically adjusts your provisioned throughput based on actual traffic patterns, preventing throttling during spikes by automatically increasing capacity before limits are hit, while DAX acts as an in-memory cache that absorbs read-heavy bursts by serving frequently accessed items at microsecond latency, offloading the table and reducing read throttling. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the two distinct layers of throttling prevention: capacity management via Auto Scaling and read-path optimization via DAX. A common trap is choosing only one action, but the scenario demands both because Auto Scaling handles capacity adjustments while DAX specifically mitigates read spikes without requiring capacity increases. Memory tip: think “Scale the table, cache the reads” — Auto Scaling handles the table’s throughput, DAX handles the hot data.
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's application uses Amazon DynamoDB as its primary data store. The application experiences occasional throttling errors during traffic spikes. The DevOps team needs to implement a solution that ensures consistent performance without manual intervention. Which TWO actions should the team take? (Choose TWO.)
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache read requests.
DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) is an in-memory cache that reduces read response times from milliseconds to microseconds, offloading read-heavy workloads from the DynamoDB table. By caching frequently accessed items, DAX absorbs traffic spikes and reduces the likelihood of throttling on read requests, ensuring consistent performance without manual intervention.
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.
✗
Use eventually consistent reads for all queries.
Why it's wrong here
Eventual consistency does not reduce throttling; it only reduces read costs.
✗
Move the data to Amazon RDS with read replicas.
Why it's wrong here
This is a significant architectural change and not necessary for solving throttling.
✓
Implement DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache read requests.
Why this is correct
DAX reduces read load on DynamoDB, mitigating throttling for read-heavy workloads.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable DynamoDB Auto Scaling for read and write capacity.
Why this is correct
Auto Scaling automatically adjusts capacity based on traffic, preventing throttling.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Switch DynamoDB to On-Demand capacity mode.
Why it's wrong here
On-Demand mode can handle spikes but is more expensive; it may not be cost-effective.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think On-Demand capacity mode (Option E) is the only way to handle spikes without manual intervention, but it ignores the cost implications and the fact that DAX plus Auto Scaling provides a more balanced and cost-effective solution for read-heavy workloads.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DAX acts as a write-through cache that maintains strong consistency for cached items by invalidating entries on writes, ensuring that subsequent reads from the cache return the latest data. Under the hood, DAX uses a cluster of nodes with a primary node handling writes and replicas for read scaling, and it supports TTL-based eviction and item-level caching. In a real-world scenario, an e-commerce application with flash sales can use DAX to serve product details from cache, reducing read throttling while DynamoDB Auto Scaling adjusts write capacity for order transactions.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Implement DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache read requests. — DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) is an in-memory cache that reduces read response times from milliseconds to microseconds, offloading read-heavy workloads from the DynamoDB table. By caching frequently accessed items, DAX absorbs traffic spikes and reduces the likelihood of throttling on read requests, ensuring consistent performance without manual intervention.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
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Question Discussion
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