- A
The EBS-optimization feature was disabled on the database instance.
Why wrong: EBS optimization affects storage performance, not network throughput between instances.
- B
The instances were moved out of a cluster placement group, reducing network throughput.
Cluster placement groups provide low-latency, high-throughput networking; leaving the placement group can significantly reduce network performance.
- C
The security group rules were modified during patching, restricting traffic.
Why wrong: Modified security groups would block or allow traffic, not cause throughput degradation.
- D
The route tables were updated, causing traffic to traverse a NAT gateway.
Why wrong: Route changes would likely break connectivity entirely or add latency, not just reduce throughput.
Why SAP Performance Drops After Patching: Cluster Placement Group Issue
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. 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. 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 system running on AWS experiences a significant performance degradation after a patching activity. The SAP application (PAS) and database (HANA) run on separate EC2 instances. The network throughput between the two instances has dropped. What is the MOST likely cause?
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.
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 instances were moved out of a cluster placement group, reducing network throughput.
A cluster placement group provides low-latency, high-bandwidth network connectivity between instances by placing them in the same high-speed, non-blocking rack. Moving instances out of a cluster placement group removes this benefit, reducing network throughput between the SAP PAS and HANA instances, which directly causes performance degradation.
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.
- ✗
The EBS-optimization feature was disabled on the database instance.
Why it's wrong here
EBS optimization affects storage performance, not network throughput between instances.
- ✓
The instances were moved out of a cluster placement group, reducing network throughput.
Why this is correct
Cluster placement groups provide low-latency, high-throughput networking; leaving the placement group can significantly reduce network performance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The security group rules were modified during patching, restricting traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Modified security groups would block or allow traffic, not cause throughput degradation.
- ✗
The route tables were updated, causing traffic to traverse a NAT gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Route changes would likely break connectivity entirely or add latency, not just reduce throughput.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse EBS-optimization with network throughput, or assume security group changes are the primary cause of performance degradation after patching, when in fact the placement group change is a subtle but critical networking change that directly impacts inter-instance bandwidth.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cluster placement groups use a low-latency, 10 Gbps or 25 Gbps network fabric that is not available to instances outside the group. When instances are removed from the group, they fall back to the standard EC2 network path, which may involve multiple hops and shared bandwidth, significantly reducing throughput for latency-sensitive workloads like SAP HANA. The AWS documentation specifies that cluster placement groups are recommended for applications that benefit from low network latency, high network throughput, or both, such as HANA scale-out or SAP PAS-to-HANA communication.
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.
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
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PAS-C01 question test?
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: The instances were moved out of a cluster placement group, reducing network throughput. — A cluster placement group provides low-latency, high-bandwidth network connectivity between instances by placing them in the same high-speed, non-blocking rack. Moving instances out of a cluster placement group removes this benefit, reducing network throughput between the SAP PAS and HANA instances, which directly causes performance degradation.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". 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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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