Quick Answer
The answer is BurstCreditBalance. This metric is the correct choice because Amazon EFS uses a burst model where throughput scales with file system size, and BurstCreditBalance tracks the accumulated burst credits that allow higher throughput during peak operations. When this balance drops to zero, the file system is throttled to its baseline throughput, directly causing the slow file operations reported by users. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of EFS performance monitoring for SAP workloads that rely on shared file systems across multiple EC2 instances. A common trap is confusing BurstCreditBalance with DataReadIOBytes or MeteredIOBytes, which measure I/O volume rather than throttling status. Remember that for EFS, credits are your currency for burst performance—when the balance is empty, your throughput is capped. Memory tip: think of BurstCreditBalance as your EFS fuel gauge; zero fuel means no burst, just a slow crawl.
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of operations and maintenance. 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 system on AWS uses a shared file system via Amazon EFS mounted on multiple EC2 instances. Users report that file operations are slow. Which metric in Amazon CloudWatch should be analyzed to determine if the EFS file system's throughput is being throttled?
PercentIOLimit
Why wrong: This is not a standard CloudWatch metric for EFS.
BurstCreditBalance
If BurstCreditBalance is low or zero, the file system is throttled.
DataReadIOBytes
Why wrong: This metric shows amount of data read, not throttle state.
MeteredIOBytes
Why wrong: This measures metered I/O, not throttling.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
BurstCreditBalance
Option D is correct because the BurstCreditBalance metric indicates the remaining burst credits; if it reaches zero, throughput is throttled. Option A (DataReadIOBytes) measures data read. Option B (PercentIOLimit) is not a standard metric. Option C (MeteredIOBytes) measures metered I/O.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
PercentIOLimit
Why it's wrong here
This is not a standard CloudWatch metric for EFS.
BurstCreditBalance
Why this is correct
If BurstCreditBalance is low or zero, the file system is throttled.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
DataReadIOBytes
Why it's wrong here
This metric shows amount of data read, not throttle state.
MeteredIOBytes
Why it's wrong here
This measures metered I/O, not throttling.
Common exam traps
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This metric shows amount of data read, not throttle state.
Detailed technical explanation
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
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. OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough. 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
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related PAS-C01 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Operations and Maintenance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
The correct answer is: BurstCreditBalance — Option D is correct because the BurstCreditBalance metric indicates the remaining burst credits; if it reaches zero, throughput is throttled. Option A (DataReadIOBytes) measures data read. Option B (PercentIOLimit) is not a standard metric. Option C (MeteredIOBytes) measures metered I/O.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related PAS-C01 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Same concept, more angles
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Variation 1. An SAP system running on AWS uses a shared file system via Amazon EFS. Recently, the file system has become slow. The administrator suspects that the burst credits are exhausted. What metric should the administrator check in Amazon CloudWatch to confirm this?
hardWhy B: EFS has a BurstCreditBalance metric that tracks available burst credits. When exhausted, throughput drops. PercentIOLimit is not a valid metric. Throughput is the actual throughput, not credit balance. PermittedThroughput is not a metric.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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