A company has a database that processes millions of small credit card transactions per second for payment authorization. They also need to run complex reports that aggregate transaction data over months to detect fraud patterns. Which type of workload describes the payment authorization process?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Best answer
OLTP (Online Transaction Processing)
OLTP systems handle high volumes of small, fast transactions, such as credit card authorization.
Distractor review
OLAP (Online Analytical Processing)
OLAP is for complex queries and aggregations over historical data, not the high-speed transaction processing described.
Distractor review
HTAP (Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing)
HTAP combines OLTP and OLAP in one system, but payment authorization is purely transactional.
Distractor review
ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)
ETL is a data pipeline process, not a workload type for processing transactions.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Related practice questions
Related DP-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
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Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) — Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) is characterized by many short, concurrent transactions that are insert/update intensive, like payment authorization. Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) is for complex queries over large historical datasets. HTAP combines both, and ETL is a data integration process.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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