PAS-C01 Operations and Maintenance Practice Question
A company runs SAP on AWS using an SAP HANA multi-node cluster. The operations team needs to apply an OS-level security patch that requires a reboot. How can they minimize downtime?
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 HANA scale-out to move services to other nodes, then reboot each node sequentially.
In a HANA multi-node cluster, you can leverage HANA's scale-out capabilities to move services (e.g., using HANA system replication or failover) to other nodes, then reboot each node sequentially. This minimizes downtime as the database remains available through the other nodes. Option A is incorrect because AWS Systems Manager Run Command can apply the patch, but if a reboot is required, it will still need a reboot, causing downtime. Option B is incorrect because rebooting all nodes simultaneously will cause complete downtime. Option D is incorrect because creating a new EC2 instance and updating DNS introduces complexity, potential connectivity issues, and is not a standard approach for HANA clusters; it also does not leverage HANA's built-in high availability features.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to apply the patch without reboot.
Why it's wrong here
Kernel patches often require reboot; Run Command can't avoid reboot.
- ✗
Reboot all nodes simultaneously during the maintenance window.
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting all nodes at once causes full downtime.
- ✓
Use HANA scale-out to move services to other nodes, then reboot each node sequentially.
Why this is correct
This allows zero or minimal downtime by leveraging cluster redundancy.
- ✗
Create a new EC2 instance with the patch applied, then update DNS to point to the new instance.
Why it's wrong here
DNS changes take time and may cause session drops; also not suitable for multi-node.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 exam.