- A
The secondary instance is in a different VPC
Why wrong: Different VPCs would prevent connectivity, not just degrade performance.
- B
The secondary instance is a smaller instance type than the primary
Smaller instance type cannot handle the same workload, causing performance degradation.
- C
The secondary instance uses a different storage type (e.g., GP2 instead of Provisioned IOPS)
Why wrong: Storage type mismatch affects performance but is less likely than instance size mismatch.
- D
The secondary database is running a different HANA version
Why wrong: HANA version difference would likely cause incompatibility, not just performance degradation.
Question 1,435 of 1,733
PAS-C01 Multi-AZ Deployment Practice Question
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. A key principle to apply: multi-AZ Deployment. 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 uses SAP S/4HANA on AWS with a multi-AZ deployment. The primary database is in us-east-1a and the secondary in us-east-1b. During a failover test, the secondary database becomes active but performance degrades significantly. Which configuration is most likely causing the performance issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
The secondary instance is a smaller instance type than the primary
Option B is correct because in a multi-AZ deployment, the secondary instance should match the primary's instance type to ensure consistent performance after failover. If the secondary is smaller, it lacks the CPU, memory, and network resources needed to handle the same workload, leading to performance degradation. Option A is incorrect because both instances should be in the same VPC for proper replication; being in different VPCs would break connectivity. Option C is incorrect because different storage types (e.g., GP2 vs. Provisioned IOPS) can also cause performance issues, but the question specifically asks about the most likely cause given the scenario. Option D is incorrect because HANA version differences would cause compatibility issues, not necessarily performance degradation.
Key principle: Multi-AZ Deployment
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The secondary instance is in a different VPC
Why it's wrong here
Different VPCs would prevent connectivity, not just degrade performance.
- ✓
The secondary instance is a smaller instance type than the primary
Why this is correct
Smaller instance type cannot handle the same workload, causing performance degradation.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Multi-AZ Deployment
- ✗
The secondary instance uses a different storage type (e.g., GP2 instead of Provisioned IOPS)
Why it's wrong here
Storage type mismatch affects performance but is less likely than instance size mismatch.
- ✗
The secondary database is running a different HANA version
Why it's wrong here
HANA version difference would likely cause incompatibility, not just performance degradation.
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
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Multi-AZ Deployment
- Instance Size Parity
TExam Day Tips
- 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
Multi-AZ Deployment
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review multi-AZ Deployment, then practise related PAS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Operations and Maintenance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Operations and Maintenance practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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All PAS-C01 questions
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AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 study guide
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PAS-C01 practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PAS-C01 question test?
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — Multi-AZ Deployment.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The secondary instance is a smaller instance type than the primary — Option B is correct because in a multi-AZ deployment, the secondary instance should match the primary's instance type to ensure consistent performance after failover. If the secondary is smaller, it lacks the CPU, memory, and network resources needed to handle the same workload, leading to performance degradation. Option A is incorrect because both instances should be in the same VPC for proper replication; being in different VPCs would break connectivity. Option C is incorrect because different storage types (e.g., GP2 vs. Provisioned IOPS) can also cause performance issues, but the question specifically asks about the most likely cause given the scenario. Option D is incorrect because HANA version differences would cause compatibility issues, not necessarily performance degradation.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Review multi-AZ Deployment, then practise related PAS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "primary". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Multi-AZ Deployment
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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