Quick Answer
The answer is to examine RDS events and DB instance logs when analyzing the cause of an RDS failover for SAP HANA. This is correct because RDS events capture state changes like failover initiation and completion, while DB instance logs—such as the error log and slow query log—reveal underlying database-level issues like resource contention, transaction timeouts, or memory pressure that triggered the failover. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between AWS service logs: CloudTrail tracks API calls, VPC Flow Logs monitor network traffic, and CloudWatch Logs for the OS are unavailable for RDS since AWS manages the host. A common trap is assuming CloudTrail records database events, but it only logs management actions, not internal database operations. Memory tip: think “RDS events for the *what* (failover state), DB logs for the *why* (root cause).”
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of operations and maintenance. 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.
A company runs SAP on AWS and uses a Multi-AZ RDS for SAP HANA database. The database fails over unexpectedly, causing application downtime. The operations team wants to analyze the cause of the failover. Which set of logs should be examined?
AWS CloudTrail logs and S3 access logs.
Why wrong: CloudTrail logs API calls, not database failover details.
RDS events and DB instance logs.
RDS events and DB logs contain failover causes.
CloudWatch Logs from the EC2 instance hosting the database.
Why wrong: RDS is managed, no direct EC2 instance access.
VPC Flow Logs and Network Load Balancer logs.
Why wrong: Flow logs are for network traffic, not database events.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
RDS events and DB instance logs.
Option B is correct because RDS events and DB instance logs (error log, slow query log) provide information about failover causes. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not database events. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs are for network traffic. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs for the OS are not available for RDS.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS CloudTrail logs and S3 access logs.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs API calls, not database failover details.
RDS events and DB instance logs.
Why this is correct
RDS events and DB logs contain failover causes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CloudWatch Logs from the EC2 instance hosting the database.
Why it's wrong here
RDS is managed, no direct EC2 instance access.
VPC Flow Logs and Network Load Balancer logs.
Why it's wrong here
Flow logs are for network traffic, not database events.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
Operations and Maintenance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: RDS events and DB instance logs. — Option B is correct because RDS events and DB instance logs (error log, slow query log) provide information about failover causes. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not database events. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs are for network traffic. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs for the OS are not available for RDS.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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