- A
Implement Auto Scaling groups for each microservice without separating data stores.
Why wrong: Without data isolation, failures can propagate.
- B
Use a cell-based architecture where each microservice runs in isolated cells with independent data stores.
Cell-based architecture isolates failures to one cell, reducing overall impact.
- C
Route all traffic through a single Application Load Balancer to simplify management.
Why wrong: A single ALB is a single point of failure.
- D
Deploy all microservices in a single Availability Zone with a shared database.
Why wrong: A single AZ and shared database increase blast radius.
Question 1,014 of 1,746
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing 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 from a monolithic application to microservices on AWS. They need to reduce the blast radius of failures. Which architecture pattern should they implement?
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 a cell-based architecture where each microservice runs in isolated cells with independent data stores.
Option B is correct because cell-based architecture isolates failures to individual cells, reducing blast radius. Option A is wrong because sharing a data store creates a single point of failure. Option C is wrong because a single Application Load Balancer creates a single point of failure and bottleneck. Option D is wrong because a single Availability Zone and shared database are single points of failure.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implement Auto Scaling groups for each microservice without separating data stores.
Why it's wrong here
Without data isolation, failures can propagate.
- ✓
Use a cell-based architecture where each microservice runs in isolated cells with independent data stores.
Why this is correct
Cell-based architecture isolates failures to one cell, reducing overall impact.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Route all traffic through a single Application Load Balancer to simplify management.
Why it's wrong here
A single ALB is a single point of failure.
- ✗
Deploy all microservices in a single Availability Zone with a shared database.
Why it's wrong here
A single AZ and shared database increase blast radius.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SAP-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a cell-based architecture where each microservice runs in isolated cells with independent data stores. — Option B is correct because cell-based architecture isolates failures to individual cells, reducing blast radius. Option A is wrong because sharing a data store creates a single point of failure. Option C is wrong because a single Application Load Balancer creates a single point of failure and bottleneck. Option D is wrong because a single Availability Zone and shared database are single points of failure.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SAP-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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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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