- A
The EBS volumes on the standby instance have lower IOPS than the primary.
Why wrong: Standby is not under write load; IOPS mismatch doesn't cause lag.
- B
The Multi-AZ configuration uses a single network interface.
Why wrong: This does not cause replication lag.
- C
The security groups on the standby instance block replication traffic.
Why wrong: If blocked, replication would fail completely, not just lag.
- D
The network latency between the Availability Zones is high.
High latency can cause synchronous replication to slow down.
Question 303 of 1,733
Multi-AZ Failover Lag in SAP Database
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of operations and maintenance. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: synchronous Replication. 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 on AWS uses a Multi-AZ deployment for the database layer with synchronous replication. The application servers are in the same region but different Availability Zones. During a recent failure of the primary database instance, the automatic failover to the standby instance took longer than expected, exceeding the RTO of 5 minutes. Upon investigation, the team finds that the standby instance was not fully synchronized at the time of failure. What could be the cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
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 network latency between the Availability Zones is high.
The correct answer is D. In a Multi-AZ deployment with synchronous replication, high network latency between Availability Zones can cause the primary database to wait for acknowledgment from the standby. This increases transaction commit time and can lead to the standby falling behind, especially if the primary continues processing transactions while waiting. During failover, the standby may not be fully synchronized, causing longer failover time and exceeding RTO. Option A is unlikely because EBS IOPS affect storage performance but not replication lag directly; Option B is incorrect because Multi-AZ uses multiple network interfaces; Option C is incorrect because blocked replication traffic would cause complete failure, not just lag.
Key principle: Synchronous Replication
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 EBS volumes on the standby instance have lower IOPS than the primary.
Why it's wrong here
Standby is not under write load; IOPS mismatch doesn't cause lag.
- ✗
The Multi-AZ configuration uses a single network interface.
Why it's wrong here
This does not cause replication lag.
- ✗
The security groups on the standby instance block replication traffic.
Why it's wrong here
If blocked, replication would fail completely, not just lag.
- ✓
The network latency between the Availability Zones is high.
Why this is correct
High latency can cause synchronous replication to slow down.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Synchronous Replication
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often assume that replication lag is caused by storage performance or network configuration errors, but in a synchronous replication setup, network latency is a primary factor affecting synchronization.
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
- Synchronous Replication
- Multi-AZ Deployment
- RTO (Recovery Time Objective)
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
Synchronous Replication
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.
Visual reference
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 synchronous Replication, then practise related PAS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Operations and Maintenance — study guide chapter
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Operations and Maintenance practice questions
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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 — Synchronous Replication.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The network latency between the Availability Zones is high. — The correct answer is D. In a Multi-AZ deployment with synchronous replication, high network latency between Availability Zones can cause the primary database to wait for acknowledgment from the standby. This increases transaction commit time and can lead to the standby falling behind, especially if the primary continues processing transactions while waiting. During failover, the standby may not be fully synchronized, causing longer failover time and exceeding RTO. Option A is unlikely because EBS IOPS affect storage performance but not replication lag directly; Option B is incorrect because Multi-AZ uses multiple network interfaces; Option C is incorrect because blocked replication traffic would cause complete failure, not just lag.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Review synchronous Replication, 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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Synchronous Replication
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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