SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
A company runs a web application on Amazon EC2 instances in an Auto Scaling group. The application stores user session data in a local MySQL database on each instance, which has caused issues when instances are replaced. The company wants to make the application stateless and improve scalability. Which solution should a solutions architect recommend?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that sticky sessions or storing session data in a database solves the statelessness problem, when in fact they either don't remove state from instances or introduce performance and scalability limitations.
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
✓
Move the session data to an Amazon ElastiCache for Redis cluster and configure the application to use it.
To make the application stateless, session data must be externalized to a shared, scalable store. Amazon ElastiCache for Redis is an in-memory data store that provides low-latency access and high throughput, ideal for session management. It is a managed service, so it reduces operational overhead. This allows instances to be added or removed without affecting user sessions, improving scalability and resilience.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Store session data in an Amazon RDS for MySQL database with Multi-AZ.
Why it's wrong here
While RDS provides durable storage, using it for session data can introduce latency and may become a bottleneck under high load. It also requires managing database connections and scaling, which adds operational overhead. RDS is better suited for persistent data, not ephemeral session state. It does not provide the same performance benefits as an in-memory cache.
- ✗
Use Amazon S3 to store session data and have the application read/write to it.
Why it's wrong here
Amazon S3 is object storage with higher latency than in-memory caches. Using S3 for session data would introduce performance bottlenecks, especially for high-traffic applications. It also requires application code changes to interact with S3, and it does not provide the low-latency access needed for session management. It is not a suitable solution for session state.
- ✗
Enable sticky sessions on the Application Load Balancer.
Why it's wrong here
Sticky sessions bind a user to a specific instance, which can lead to uneven load distribution and does not make the application stateless. If an instance fails, the session data is lost. This approach does not improve scalability and can cause issues during scaling events. It is a temporary workaround, not a solution for statelessness.
- ✓
Move the session data to an Amazon ElastiCache for Redis cluster and configure the application to use it.
Why this is correct
Storing session data in ElastiCache for Redis decouples session state from individual instances, making the application stateless. Redis provides high performance and scalability, and it is a managed service, reducing operational overhead. This allows the Auto Scaling group to scale in and out without losing session data, and it improves the application's ability to handle load.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Amazon Web Services exam blueprint
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.