SAA-C03 Design High-Performing Architectures Practice Question
A high-volume telemetry pipeline writes streaming click events that must be processed by multiple independent consumers. Which service is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse Kinesis Data Streams with simpler messaging services like SQS or SNS, but the key differentiator is that Kinesis supports multiple independent consumers processing the same stream in real-time with replay capability, whereas SQS is designed for point-to-point message delivery and SNS for pub/sub with push-based fan-out.
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
✓
Amazon Kinesis Data Streams
Amazon Kinesis Data Streams is the most appropriate service because it is designed for real-time streaming data ingestion and processing. It can capture and store terabytes of data per hour from hundreds of thousands of sources, such as click events, and allows multiple independent consumers to read and process the same stream concurrently using the Kinesis Client Library (KCL) or enhanced fan-out with dedicated throughput.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Amazon Kinesis Data Streams
Why this is correct
Kinesis Data Streams retains ordered records for a configurable period, letting multiple independent consumers read the same stream at their own pace via separate iterators. This satisfies the stem's requirement for parallel, independent processing of high-volume click events.
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AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync performs bulk, scheduled file and object transfers between on-premises storage, Amazon S3, EFS or FSx, not continuous fan-out delivery to multiple independent consumers. It is tempting because it moves data at scale, but it would be the right choice for a one-off or recurring migration, not for streaming click events.
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Amazon EBS
Why it's wrong here
Amazon EBS provides block storage volumes attached to a single EC2 instance, so it cannot fan out one stream to multiple independent consumers. It is tempting as durable storage for collected data, and it would suit persisting processed output, but Amazon Kinesis or MSK handles multi-consumer stream ingestion.
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Amazon Route 53
Why it's wrong here
Route 53 is a DNS and traffic-routing service; it resolves names and applies routing policies, but it neither ingests nor buffers streaming click events for independent consumers. It is tempting because it distributes traffic, yet it would be correct when directing users to endpoints, not processing telemetry.
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