The correct answer involves three steps: using the CloudWatch agent to collect OS-level memory metrics, querying SAP HANA’s SQL views for detailed memory consumption data, and creating a CloudWatch alarm with an 85% threshold. This approach works because the CloudWatch agent captures the operating system’s memory usage, while HANA’s own SQL views (like M_MEMORY) provide granular insight into database-level memory allocation, and the alarm ties these together to trigger notifications when the threshold is breached. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that CloudWatch cannot directly query HANA—it relies on the agent for OS metrics and HANA’s native views for database metrics. A common trap is assuming CloudWatch can natively read HANA memory, but it cannot; you must use the agent and HANA’s SQL views in tandem. Memory tip: think “Agent + HANA SQL = CloudWatch alarm” to remember the three-part pipeline.
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. 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.
A company is running an SAP S/4HANA system on AWS. The system experiences high memory usage. The administrator wants to monitor the SAP HANA memory consumption and set alarms for when memory usage exceeds 85% of available memory. Which steps should the administrator take to achieve this? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use SAP HANA SQL queries to monitor memory usage and publish custom metrics to CloudWatch.
Options A, C, D are correct. A: CloudWatch agent collects OS-level metrics including memory. C: HANA provides detailed metrics via SQL views. D: CloudWatch alarms can trigger actions. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch does not directly query HANA. Option E is wrong because SNS alone does not provide monitoring.
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.
✗
Configure an Amazon SNS topic to send email notifications when memory usage is high.
Why it's wrong here
SNS is used for notifications, not for monitoring; alarms use SNS.
✓
Use SAP HANA SQL queries to monitor memory usage and publish custom metrics to CloudWatch.
Why this is correct
Custom metrics can be published via CloudWatch PutMetricData.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Install the Amazon CloudWatch agent on the EC2 instance to collect memory metrics.
Why this is correct
CloudWatch agent can collect memory utilization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon CloudWatch Synthetics to monitor HANA memory.
Why it's wrong here
Synthetics is for endpoint monitoring, not memory.
✓
Create a CloudWatch alarm on the memory metric with a threshold of 85%.
Why this is correct
Alarm triggers when threshold is exceeded.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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: Use SAP HANA SQL queries to monitor memory usage and publish custom metrics to CloudWatch. — Options A, C, D are correct. A: CloudWatch agent collects OS-level metrics including memory. C: HANA provides detailed metrics via SQL views. D: CloudWatch alarms can trigger actions. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch does not directly query HANA. Option E is wrong because SNS alone does not provide monitoring.
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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