CV0-004 Cloud Architecture and Design Practice Question
A cloud engineer is designing a storage solution for a high-performance database that requires consistent low-latency access to block-level storage. The database runs on a single virtual machine and must support frequent random read/write operations. Which storage type should the engineer choose?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse shared file storage with block storage, when databases typically require dedicated block-level volumes for performance.
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
✓
A block storage volume attached to the virtual machine, provisioned with high IOPS.
A high-performance database requires block-level storage with consistent low latency and the ability to handle frequent random read/write operations. Block storage volumes attached to the virtual machine provide dedicated, high-IOPS storage that can be formatted and used directly by the database. Object storage, file shares, and CDNs do not offer the necessary block-level access or performance characteristics.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A block storage volume attached to the virtual machine, provisioned with high IOPS.
Why this is correct
Block storage presents raw volumes that can be formatted with a file system and used by the database. It supports low-latency random read/write operations and allows the engineer to provision IOPS based on performance needs. Attaching the volume directly to the virtual machine ensures dedicated access and consistent performance, which is exactly what a high-performance database requires.
- ✗
A managed file share using the SMB protocol.
Why it's wrong here
SMB file shares are designed for shared file access, not for block-level database storage. They add protocol overhead and are not optimized for the random I/O patterns of a database. While they can be mounted by a virtual machine, the latency and throughput characteristics are generally inferior to block storage, and they do not support the low-level control a database needs.
- ✗
A content delivery network (CDN) edge cache.
Why it's wrong here
A CDN caches static content at edge locations to reduce latency for web users. It does not provide block-level storage and cannot be used as a database volume. CDNs are read-optimized and do not support the write-heavy, random I/O patterns of a database. Using a CDN for database storage is technically infeasible.
- ✗
Object storage with a hierarchical namespace and eventual consistency.
Why it's wrong here
Object storage is designed for unstructured data accessed over HTTP and is not suitable for block-level database operations. It typically offers eventual consistency for overwrites and does not provide the low-latency, random read/write performance required by a high-performance database. Mounting object storage as a block device is not a native capability and would introduce unacceptable latency.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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