The answer is to stop the SAP HANA database, change the EC2 instance type to one with more memory, then restart the database. This is correct because SAP HANA is an in-memory database that requires its allocated RAM to be physically available on the host; resizing the EC2 instance directly increases the underlying hardware memory, while stopping the database ensures data consistency and avoids the unsupported risk of a live instance type change for large memory configurations. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the relationship between EC2 instance families and SAP HANA’s memory architecture, with a common trap being the temptation to add swap space or EBS volumes, which do not increase RAM. A useful memory tip is “Stop, Swap, Start” — stop the database, swap the instance type, then start — to remember the only valid path to increase SAP HANA memory on EC2 without significant downtime.
PAS-C01 Operations and Maintenance Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of operations and maintenance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 administrator receives an alert that the SAP HANA database is using 95% of its allocated memory. The system is running on an EC2 instance with 1 TB of RAM. The administrator needs to add more memory without significant downtime. Which action should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Stop the SAP HANA database, change the EC2 instance type to one with more memory, then restart the database.
Option D (Stop the SAP HANA database, change the EC2 instance type to one with more memory, restart the database) is correct because it directly increases memory with minimal downtime. Option A (Add swap space) is not a permanent solution. Option B (Modify instance type while running) is not supported for all instance types. Option C (Add more EBS volumes) does not increase RAM.
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.
✗
Modify the EC2 instance type to a larger size while the instance is running.
Why it's wrong here
Not all instance types support in-place modification; may require stop.
✗
Add additional EBS volumes to the instance to increase memory capacity.
Why it's wrong here
EBS is storage, not memory.
✓
Stop the SAP HANA database, change the EC2 instance type to one with more memory, then restart the database.
Why this is correct
This provides the needed memory increase with controlled downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Increase the swap space on the instance to provide virtual memory.
Why it's wrong here
Swap is not a substitute for RAM and will degrade performance.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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
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.
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Stop the SAP HANA database, change the EC2 instance type to one with more memory, then restart the database. — Option D (Stop the SAP HANA database, change the EC2 instance type to one with more memory, restart the database) is correct because it directly increases memory with minimal downtime. Option A (Add swap space) is not a permanent solution. Option B (Modify instance type while running) is not supported for all instance types. Option C (Add more EBS volumes) does not increase RAM.
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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