- A
Take a snapshot of the database and restore it as a new database with the new engine version.
Why wrong: Restore from snapshot takes time and causes significant downtime.
- B
Create a read replica with the new engine version, promote it to a standalone database, and update the application connection string.
Minimizes downtime because the replica is promoted quickly and application DNS switch is fast.
- C
Modify the existing DB instance and set the engine version to the new version.
Why wrong: Modifying the instance causes downtime during the upgrade process.
- D
Use the AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to continuously replicate data to a new database with the new version.
Why wrong: DMS may introduce latency and require cutover, but can be low downtime; however, option C is typically lower downtime for major version upgrades.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a read replica with the new engine version, promote it to a standalone database, and update the application connection string. This strategy achieves an RDS PostgreSQL major version upgrade with minimal downtime because the replica continuously syncs from the primary using asynchronous replication, allowing the promotion to occur in seconds once the replica catches up, rather than taking the primary offline for an extended period. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of high-availability patterns versus direct modification or backup-restore methods, which cause significant downtime. A common trap is choosing the in-place upgrade (Option A) because it seems simpler, but it locks the database during the process. Remember the memory tip: “Promote, don’t pause”—always favor read replica promotion over direct modification for near-zero downtime major version upgrades.
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 has a production RDS for PostgreSQL database. They need to perform a major version upgrade with minimal downtime. Which strategy provides the LEAST downtime while maintaining data integrity?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
Create a read replica with the new engine version, promote it to a standalone database, and update the application connection string.
Option C is correct because creating a read replica with the new version, promoting it, and then switching DNS minimizes downtime. Option A is wrong because modifying the DB instance directly causes downtime. Option B is wrong because snapshot restore is time-consuming. Option D is wrong because DMS may have latency and data consistency issues.
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.
- ✗
Take a snapshot of the database and restore it as a new database with the new engine version.
Why it's wrong here
Restore from snapshot takes time and causes significant downtime.
- ✓
Create a read replica with the new engine version, promote it to a standalone database, and update the application connection string.
Why this is correct
Minimizes downtime because the replica is promoted quickly and application DNS switch is fast.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Modify the existing DB instance and set the engine version to the new version.
Why it's wrong here
Modifying the instance causes downtime during the upgrade process.
- ✗
Use the AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to continuously replicate data to a new database with the new version.
Why it's wrong here
DMS may introduce latency and require cutover, but can be low downtime; however, option C is typically lower downtime for major version upgrades.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
- →
Resilient Cloud Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Resilient Cloud Solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DOP-C02 questions
1,740 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DOP-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DOP-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuration Management and IaC practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Configuration Management and IaC.
Resilient Cloud Solutions practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Resilient Cloud Solutions.
Monitoring and Logging practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Monitoring and Logging.
Incident and Event Response practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Incident and Event Response.
Security and Compliance practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Security and Compliance.
SDLC Automation practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to SDLC Automation.
DOP-C02 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 fundamentals.
DOP-C02 scenario practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 scenario.
DOP-C02 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DOP-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Create a read replica with the new engine version, promote it to a standalone database, and update the application connection string. — Option C is correct because creating a read replica with the new version, promoting it, and then switching DNS minimizes downtime. Option A is wrong because modifying the DB instance directly causes downtime. Option B is wrong because snapshot restore is time-consuming. Option D is wrong because DMS may have latency and data consistency issues.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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 →
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.
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.