How to Achieve Multi-Region Writes with Aurora Global Database
A company is designing a multi-region active-active application using Amazon Aurora Global Database. The application writes to a custom domain endpoint that routes to the primary cluster. To minimize write latency, the application should write to the nearest region. Which configuration should the solutions architect use?
Quick Answer
The answer is to use Amazon DynamoDB global tables instead of Aurora Global Database, as DynamoDB supports multi-region writes. This is correct because an Aurora Global Database is fundamentally an active-passive architecture: it has a single primary region that handles all writes, while secondary regions are read-only replicas. No amount of routing or endpoint configuration can make those secondary clusters accept writes, so the only way to achieve true multi-region active-active write capability is to switch to a service designed for it, like DynamoDB global tables. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of Aurora’s architectural limitations versus DynamoDB’s multi-master design. A common trap is assuming that Route 53 latency-based routing or custom endpoints can bypass the single-writer constraint, but the exam expects you to recognize that Aurora Global Database simply cannot support multi-region writes. Memory tip: “Aurora writes from one core; DynamoDB writes from every door.”
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume Aurora Global Database supports multi-region writes because of the word 'Global,' but it actually enforces a single-writer model, making DynamoDB global tables the only AWS-managed relational-like service that supports active-active multi-region writes.
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 DynamoDB global tables instead of Aurora Global Database, as DynamoDB supports multi-region writes.
Amazon Aurora Global Database does not support multi-region writes; it has a single primary (writer) cluster and multiple read-only secondary regions. Amazon DynamoDB global tables, however, natively support active-active multi-region writes, allowing the application to write to the nearest region and achieve low write latency. Therefore, DynamoDB global tables are the correct service for this requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure Aurora Global Database with multiple primary clusters, each in a different region, and use Route 53 to route writes.
Why it's wrong here
Aurora Global Database has only one primary cluster.
- ✓
Use Amazon DynamoDB global tables instead of Aurora Global Database, as DynamoDB supports multi-region writes.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB global tables allow active-active multi-region writes. Aurora Global Database does not.
- ✗
Use Aurora cross-region read replicas and failover to a secondary region for writes.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are read-only; failover promotes a replica but does not allow simultaneous writes from multiple regions.
- ✗
Use Route 53 latency-based routing to direct writes to the nearest region. Each region has its own Aurora cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Latency routing cannot direct writes to a secondary cluster because secondary clusters are read-only.
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Variation 1. A company is designing a multi-region active-active application with a relational database. The application requires strong consistency and read-after-write consistency globally. Which AWS database service should the company choose?
medium- ✓ A.Amazon Aurora Global Database
- B.Amazon RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ
- C.Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables
- D.Amazon ElastiCache for Memcached
Why A: Amazon Aurora Global Database is the correct choice because it is the only AWS relational database service that can span multiple regions while providing strong consistency within each region. Although it is technically active-passive (single primary writer), it can be used in an active-active pattern for reads by leveraging read replicas in secondary regions. For writes, applications can use write forwarding to send writes from any region to the primary, ensuring strong consistency. DynamoDB Global Tables is NoSQL and provides eventual consistency, not strong. RDS Multi-AZ is single-region. ElastiCache is a cache, not a relational database. Thus, Aurora Global Database best meets the requirements despite its limitations.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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