The answer is to install and configure the SAP HANA CloudWatch agent on the HANA server. This is correct because the standard CloudWatch agent only collects OS-level metrics like CPU and disk, whereas the SAP HANA CloudWatch agent uses the SQLDBC protocol to connect directly to the HANA database and pull HANA-specific metrics such as memory usage, SQL execution times, and database performance counters, pushing them into CloudWatch without custom scripting. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between OS-level monitoring and application-level database monitoring; a common trap is assuming the standard agent can collect HANA metrics or that a third-party tool is required. Remember the key: OS metrics need the standard agent, HANA metrics need the HANA agent. A useful memory tip is "Two agents, two layers: OS for the server, HANA for the database."
PAS-C01 Design of SAP Workloads on AWS Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of design of sap workloads on aws. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 runs SAP Business Warehouse (BW) on AWS. The system uses an SAP HANA database that is also used for other SAP systems. The company wants to set up monitoring to ensure that the HANA database is performing optimally. They have installed the AWS CloudWatch agent on the HANA server to collect operating system metrics. However, they also need to collect HANA-specific metrics such as memory usage and SQL execution times. Which additional step should the company take to collect these metrics?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install and configure the SAP HANA CloudWatch agent on the HANA server.
The AWS-provided SAP HANA CloudWatch agent is specifically designed to collect HANA-specific metrics such as memory usage, SQL execution times, and other database-level performance counters. It connects to the HANA database using the SQLDBC protocol and pushes the metrics directly to CloudWatch, complementing the OS-level metrics collected by the standard CloudWatch agent. This is the only option that directly addresses the requirement to gather HANA-specific metrics without additional custom development.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Set up SAP Solution Manager to send metrics to CloudWatch via an API.
Why it's wrong here
SAP Solution Manager does not directly integrate with CloudWatch.
✓
Install and configure the SAP HANA CloudWatch agent on the HANA server.
Why this is correct
The SAP HANA agent collects HANA-specific metrics and sends them to CloudWatch.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon CloudWatch Logs to capture HANA trace files and create metric filters.
Why it's wrong here
Metric filters on logs may not capture all needed metrics accurately.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log HANA database API calls.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs API calls, not database metrics.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the standard CloudWatch agent (which collects OS metrics) with the specialized SAP HANA CloudWatch agent, or assume that CloudWatch Logs or CloudTrail can be repurposed to capture database-level performance data, when in fact a purpose-built agent is required.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The SAP HANA CloudWatch agent is a Python-based script that uses the HANA SQLDBC client library to execute SQL queries against system views like M_MEMORY and M_SQL_PLAN_CACHE, then formats the results as CloudWatch metric data. It supports both single-node and scale-out HANA deployments and can be configured to collect metrics at custom intervals. A subtle behavior is that the agent requires a dedicated HANA database user with SELECT privileges on the relevant monitoring views, and it must be run on the same server as the HANA database or a host that can reach the HANA instance via the SQLDBC port.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Design of SAP Workloads on AWS — This question tests Design of SAP Workloads on AWS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install and configure the SAP HANA CloudWatch agent on the HANA server. — The AWS-provided SAP HANA CloudWatch agent is specifically designed to collect HANA-specific metrics such as memory usage, SQL execution times, and other database-level performance counters. It connects to the HANA database using the SQLDBC protocol and pushes the metrics directly to CloudWatch, complementing the OS-level metrics collected by the standard CloudWatch agent. This is the only option that directly addresses the requirement to gather HANA-specific metrics without additional custom development.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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