- A
Enable the STRICT_TRANS_TABLES SQL mode on all RDS instances to enforce data integrity.
Why wrong: STRICT_TRANS_TABLES is a MySQL mode for strict SQL handling, not a distributed consistency solution.
- B
Implement a saga pattern using choreography, where each service publishes events and reacts to events from other services.
The saga pattern with choreography maintains data consistency across microservices without tight coupling, and can be implemented with minimal changes using event-driven communication.
- C
Configure RDS read replicas for each service to ensure eventually consistent reads.
Why wrong: Read replicas provide eventual consistency but not for writes; they don't solve write consistency across services.
- D
Use distributed transactions with a two-phase commit protocol across RDS instances.
Why wrong: Two-phase commit is not supported across separate RDS instances and would require a transaction manager, adding complexity.
Quick Answer
The answer is to implement a saga pattern using choreography, because this approach coordinates distributed transactions across microservices without a central coordinator, relying on each service to publish and react to events. This ensures data consistency in a microservices architecture where each service has its own RDS instance, avoiding the complexity and lack of native support for two-phase commit (XA) in Amazon RDS. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of distributed transaction patterns and the trade-offs between orchestration and choreography; a common trap is choosing eventual consistency or SQL modes, which do not guarantee transactional integrity across services. Remember that choreography is like a dance where each service listens and responds to events independently, making it ideal for minimizing application changes when migrating from a monolithic database. Memory tip: think "event-driven dance" for choreography—no conductor needed.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new 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 is migrating a monolithic application to microservices on Amazon ECS with Fargate. The application currently uses a central MySQL database. The architects plan to refactor the database into separate RDS instances per microservice. Which strategy will ensure data consistency across services with minimal application changes?
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
Implement a saga pattern using choreography, where each service publishes events and reacts to events from other services.
Option A is correct because the Saga pattern with choreography coordinates transactions across services without a central coordinator. Option B is wrong because two-phase commit (XA) is not natively supported by RDS and adds complexity. Option C is wrong because eventually consistent reads do not guarantee consistency. Option D is wrong because STRICT_TRANS_TABLES is a SQL mode, not a consistency solution.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable the STRICT_TRANS_TABLES SQL mode on all RDS instances to enforce data integrity.
Why it's wrong here
STRICT_TRANS_TABLES is a MySQL mode for strict SQL handling, not a distributed consistency solution.
- ✓
Implement a saga pattern using choreography, where each service publishes events and reacts to events from other services.
Why this is correct
The saga pattern with choreography maintains data consistency across microservices without tight coupling, and can be implemented with minimal changes using event-driven communication.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Configure RDS read replicas for each service to ensure eventually consistent reads.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas provide eventual consistency but not for writes; they don't solve write consistency across services.
- ✗
Use distributed transactions with a two-phase commit protocol across RDS instances.
Why it's wrong here
Two-phase commit is not supported across separate RDS instances and would require a transaction manager, adding complexity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement a saga pattern using choreography, where each service publishes events and reacts to events from other services. — Option A is correct because the Saga pattern with choreography coordinates transactions across services without a central coordinator. Option B is wrong because two-phase commit (XA) is not natively supported by RDS and adds complexity. Option C is wrong because eventually consistent reads do not guarantee consistency. Option D is wrong because STRICT_TRANS_TABLES is a SQL mode, not a consistency solution.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SAP-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 SAP-C02 exam.
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