- A
Enable automated backups with point-in-time recovery.
Why wrong: Point-in-time recovery is limited to the same region and RTO can be >15 minutes.
- B
Deploy the database in a Multi-AZ configuration.
Multi-AZ provides automatic failover to a standby in another AZ, meeting RTO <1 minute, but does not protect against region failure.
- C
Take manual snapshots and copy them to another Region.
Manual snapshots can be restored in another Region, but RPO may be >5 minutes depending on snapshot frequency.
- D
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for continuous replication to a target in another Region.
Why wrong: DMS is for migrations, not for disaster recovery, and adds latency.
- E
Create a cross-Region read replica in a different Region.
A cross-Region read replica can be promoted to a standalone database, meeting RTO and RPO.
SAP-C02 Multi-AZ deployment 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. A key principle to apply: multi-AZ deployment. 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 wants to implement a cost-effective disaster recovery strategy for a production Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL database. The solution must provide a recovery point objective (RPO) of less than 5 minutes and a recovery time objective (RTO) of less than 15 minutes. Which strategies meet these requirements? (Choose THREE.)
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
Deploy the database in a Multi-AZ configuration.
Option B is correct because Multi-AZ deployments provide synchronous replication to a standby in a different Availability Zone, achieving an RPO near zero and RTO typically under 2 minutes, meeting the requirements. Option C is correct because manual snapshots can be copied to another Region, and while snapshots themselves are not continuous, they can be taken frequently (e.g., every few minutes) to meet a 5-minute RPO, and the RTO can be under 15 minutes when restoring from a snapshot in the same Region or by promoting a read replica. Option E is correct because a cross-Region read replica provides asynchronous replication with an RPO typically under 1 second and can be promoted to a standalone database within minutes, meeting both RPO and RTO. Option A is incorrect because automated backups are point-in-time, but the RPO is typically up to 5 minutes (backup window) and RTO is longer due to restore time, often exceeding 15 minutes. Option D is incorrect because DMS continuous replication is a viable DR strategy, but it is not as cost-effective as the other options and introduces additional complexity; also, the requirement specifically asks for strategies involving Amazon RDS features, and DMS is a separate service.
Key principle: Multi-AZ deployment
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 automated backups with point-in-time recovery.
Why it's wrong here
Point-in-time recovery is limited to the same region and RTO can be >15 minutes.
- ✓
Deploy the database in a Multi-AZ configuration.
Why this is correct
Multi-AZ provides automatic failover to a standby in another AZ, meeting RTO <1 minute, but does not protect against region failure.
Related concept
Multi-AZ deployment
- ✓
Take manual snapshots and copy them to another Region.
Why this is correct
Manual snapshots can be restored in another Region, but RPO may be >5 minutes depending on snapshot frequency.
Related concept
Multi-AZ deployment
- ✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for continuous replication to a target in another Region.
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for migrations, not for disaster recovery, and adds latency.
- ✓
Create a cross-Region read replica in a different Region.
Why this is correct
A cross-Region read replica can be promoted to a standalone database, meeting RTO and RPO.
Related concept
Multi-AZ deployment
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may dismiss manual snapshots (option C) as incapable of meeting sub-5-minute RPO, but if snapshots are taken every 5 minutes, they can achieve that RPO. Additionally, cross-Region read replicas (option E) are often mistaken for asynchronous replication with higher RPO, but when used for DR, they can provide RPO of seconds and RTO of minutes. Multi-AZ (option B) is sometimes confused with cross-Region replication; Multi-AZ is for high availability within a Region and does not protect against Region failure, but it does meet the RPO/RTO requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Multi-AZ deployments use synchronous replication to a standby instance in a different Availability Zone, ensuring zero data loss on failover. The failover is automatic and typically completes within 60-120 seconds, as the DNS record is updated to point to the standby. For cross-Region scenarios, read replicas use PostgreSQL's native streaming replication, which is asynchronous and can lag behind the primary, making RPO unpredictable during high write loads.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Multi-AZ deployment
- Cross-Region read replica
- Manual snapshot
- Automated backup vs. snapshot
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Multi-AZ deployment
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Visual reference
What to study next
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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 — Multi-AZ deployment.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy the database in a Multi-AZ configuration. — Option B is correct because Multi-AZ deployments provide synchronous replication to a standby in a different Availability Zone, achieving an RPO near zero and RTO typically under 2 minutes, meeting the requirements. Option C is correct because manual snapshots can be copied to another Region, and while snapshots themselves are not continuous, they can be taken frequently (e.g., every few minutes) to meet a 5-minute RPO, and the RTO can be under 15 minutes when restoring from a snapshot in the same Region or by promoting a read replica. Option E is correct because a cross-Region read replica provides asynchronous replication with an RPO typically under 1 second and can be promoted to a standalone database within minutes, meeting both RPO and RTO. Option A is incorrect because automated backups are point-in-time, but the RPO is typically up to 5 minutes (backup window) and RTO is longer due to restore time, often exceeding 15 minutes. Option D is incorrect because DMS continuous replication is a viable DR strategy, but it is not as cost-effective as the other options and introduces additional complexity; also, the requirement specifically asks for strategies involving Amazon RDS features, and DMS is a separate service.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review multi-AZ deployment, then practise related SAP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Multi-AZ deployment
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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