The answer is AWS Backup, as it is the only service that can automate cross-region RDS snapshot replication for SAP with scheduling and policy-based management. AWS Backup allows you to define backup plans that automatically copy RDS snapshots to a secondary region, meeting the 15-minute RPO and 2-hour RTO requirements by ensuring recent, restorable copies are always available. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of disaster recovery automation for SAP workloads, where a common trap is confusing AWS Backup with RDS automated backups (which are region-locked) or S3 Cross-Region Replication (which applies to objects, not database snapshots). The key distinction is that AWS Backup is a centralized, cross-service backup service that natively supports cross-region snapshot copy, while other options lack this capability. Memory tip: think of AWS Backup as the "cross-region copier" for RDS snapshots—if you need to move snapshots between regions automatically, it’s always Backup, not RDS or S3.
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 running on AWS experienced a database failure. The recovery plan uses cross-Region Amazon RDS snapshots. The RPO is 15 minutes and the RTO is 2 hours. Which AWS service should be used to automate snapshot replication across Regions?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Backup
Option C is correct because AWS Backup can automate cross-Region snapshot copying with scheduling. Option A is incorrect because RDS automated backups are region-specific and cannot be cross-Region. Option B is incorrect because S3 Cross-Region Replication is for objects, not RDS snapshots. Option D is incorrect because CloudFormation does not automate snapshot replication.
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.
✗
AWS CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation is for infrastructure as code, not for automating snapshot replication.
✓
AWS Backup
Why this is correct
AWS Backup can automate cross-Region snapshot copying with scheduled policies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Amazon RDS automated backups
Why it's wrong here
RDS automated backups are stored in the same Region and cannot be replicated automatically to another Region.
✗
Amazon S3 Cross-Region Replication
Why it's wrong here
S3 CRR replicates objects in S3, not RDS snapshots.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Technology — This question tests Technology — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Backup — Option C is correct because AWS Backup can automate cross-Region snapshot copying with scheduling. Option A is incorrect because RDS automated backups are region-specific and cannot be cross-Region. Option B is incorrect because S3 Cross-Region Replication is for objects, not RDS snapshots. Option D is incorrect because CloudFormation does not automate snapshot replication.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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