The answer is a scheduled scaling policy, which is the correct choice because it enables preemptive scaling for predictable CPU spikes by adding capacity just before the spike occurs, rather than reacting after the fact. This technical concept relies on the fact that scheduled scaling policies execute actions at specific times, making them ideal for recurring, predictable patterns like the hourly CPU spikes seen in SAP workloads. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of when to use reactive versus proactive scaling strategies; a common trap is choosing simple or step scaling policies, which only respond to CloudWatch alarms after the spike has already impacted performance. Remember the key distinction: scheduled scaling is for what you know is coming, while dynamic scaling handles the unexpected. A useful memory tip is “schedule the spike, don’t chase it.”
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. 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.
An SAP application on EC2 is experiencing high CPU utilization. The instance is part of an Auto Scaling group. The CPU metric shows spikes every hour. Which scaling policy should be used to preemptively scale out before the spike?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Scheduled scaling policy to add capacity just before the spike
Option B is correct because a scheduled scaling policy can anticipate predictable spikes. Option A is incorrect because a simple scaling policy reacts to alarms after the spike. Option C is incorrect because a step scaling policy also reacts after alarms. Option D is incorrect because a target tracking policy maintains an average, not preempt spikes.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Simple scaling policy based on CPU > 80%
Why it's wrong here
Simple scaling reacts after the threshold is breached, not before.
✗
Step scaling policy with multiple thresholds
Why it's wrong here
Step scaling also reacts to alarms, not preemptively.
✗
Target tracking scaling policy with CPU target 75%
Why it's wrong here
Target tracking adjusts based on current load, not predictive.
✓
Scheduled scaling policy to add capacity just before the spike
Why this is correct
Scheduled scaling can anticipate predictable patterns.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PAS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Technology — This question tests Technology — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Scheduled scaling policy to add capacity just before the spike — Option B is correct because a scheduled scaling policy can anticipate predictable spikes. Option A is incorrect because a simple scaling policy reacts to alarms after the spike. Option C is incorrect because a step scaling policy also reacts after alarms. Option D is incorrect because a target tracking policy maintains an average, not preempt spikes.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PAS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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