Exam AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 topic 1 question 133 discussion

Option C since RDS Custom has access to the underlying OS and it provides less operational overhead. Also, a read replica in another Region can be used for DR activities. https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/database/implementing-a-disaster-recovery-strategy-with-amazon-rds/

It should be C: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/rds-custom.html and https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/working-with-custom-oracle.html

The company also needs to maintain access to the database's underlying operating system --> only RDS Custom can provide this facility

you can create a read replica in another region which is less operational cost for DR

Amazon RDS Custom for Oracle: Amazon RDS Custom for Oracle provides a managed database service while also allowing access to the underlying operating system, which is required in this scenario. This option strikes a balance between minimizing operational overhead (as AWS manages backups, patching, and scaling) and retaining flexibility for customizations or specific access requirements.

A: Incorrect - Question states to minimise operational overhead, building an EC2 instance and managing that doesn't reduce the operational overhead. B: Incorrect - Yes that ticks the DR aspect, but Amazon RDS for Oracle doesn't provide access to the underlying operating system of the database server. C: Correct - Amazon RDS Custom provides a limited amount of operating system access of the database server(s), so that's good. Creating a read replica in another AWS Region covers DR. Its not asking for High Availability (HA) in this case. D: Incorrect - Amazon RDS for Oracle doesn't provide access to the underlying operating system of the database server. A standby database in another availability, could be considered as covering DR.

Amazon RDS Custom for Oracle is the best choice because it allows access to the underlying OS, provides an easier path for upgrades, minimizes operational overhead, and supports setting up cross-region read replicas for a DR solution.

It should be standby: . When the primary database fails, Amazon RDS promotes the secondary database to primary. Because it assumes the primary databases endpoint, the EC2 instances can resume traffic with the new primary database. Meanwhile, a new standby database is created in the other Availability Zone.

Ans D - use regular RDS Oracle; no need for RDS Custom because the question doesn't state and special customisations... the only bit unanswered is "...maintain access to company's underlying o/s"

Option C provides the right balance of managed service convenience, access to the underlying OS, and effective disaster recovery with cross-region read replicas

"You can't create cross-Region RDS Custom for Oracle replicas." So it can't be C. https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/custom-rr.html B and D don't provide access to underlying OS. So the only option left is A, which won't help minimize the operational overhead though.

B, D - do not have access to underlying OS. Both A and C could work, but C is less Overhead. C - Amazon RDS Custom for Oracle actually supports creating read replicas. "Creating an RDS Custom for Oracle replica is similar to creating an RDS for Oracle replica, but with important differences." (https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/custom-rr.html). The read replica is not meant for disaster recovery, but it could work as such when no better options are available.

You can't create cross-Region RDS Custom for Oracle replicas.

Since we need to have access to the underlying infrastructure, C makes sense.

Its C Key : Access to underlying O.S - RDS custom can give you this feature General RDS for Oracle( or any) - you can't access underlying O.S So, definitely C considering this point in the question

Defintely not C. You cannot create a read replica of RDS custom for Oracle in a different region: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/database/build-high-availability-for-amazon-rds-custom-for-oracle-using-read-replicas/

C for sure