AWS Backup for RDS Oracle 90-Day Retention

SAA-C03 By islever Editorial Last updated

Determine high-performing and/or scalable network architectures.

Short answer

D Create a backup plan that has a retention period of 90 days by using AWS Backup for Amazon RDS.

Question

A company is migrating its on-premises Oracle database to an Amazon RDS for Oracle database. The company needs to retain data for 90 days to meet regulatory requirements. The company must also be able to restore the database to a specific point in time for up to 14 days. Which solution will meet these requirements with the LEAST operational overhead?
  1. Create Amazon RDS automated backups. Set the retention period to 90 days.
  2. Create an Amazon RDS manual snapshot every day. Delete manual snapshots that are older than 90 days.
  3. Use the Amazon Aurora Clone feature for Oracle to create a point-in-time restore. Delete clones that are older than 90 days.
  4. Create a backup plan that has a retention period of 90 days by using AWS Backup for Amazon RDS. Correct Answer

Key Takeaways

The core concept tested is the limitation of RDS Automated Backups (max 35 days) versus the flexibility of AWS Backup, which allows for longer retention periods like 90 days without manual intervention.

This question addresses the configuration of Amazon RDS backups to meet regulatory retention requirements with minimal operational overhead. It establishes that AWS Backup is the correct service for extending retention beyond the limits of native automated backups.

Common mistake: Many candidates incorrectly choose Option A, assuming RDS Automated Backups can be configured for any duration. They overlook the hard limit of 35 days for this feature, leading to non-compliance with the 90-day requirement.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

Option D is the correct solution because AWS Backup provides a centralized way to manage data protection across AWS services, including Amazon RDS. While Amazon RDS Automated Backups are useful for point-in-time recovery, they have a maximum retention period of 35 days. Since the company requires data retention for 90 days, automated backups alone cannot meet the regulatory requirement. AWS Backup allows you to define backup plans with retention policies exceeding 35 days, satisfying the 90-day rule while also supporting point-in-time restoration within the defined window. This approach minimizes operational overhead by automating the backup and deletion processes.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A is incorrect because Amazon RDS Automated Backups support a maximum retention period of 35 days, not 90 days. Option B involves creating manual snapshots daily and manually deleting old ones. This introduces significant operational overhead due to the need for scheduling, monitoring, and manual cleanup, increasing the risk of human error. Option C is invalid because Amazon Aurora Clone is a feature specific to Amazon Aurora databases, not Amazon RDS for Oracle. It cannot be used to back up or restore an Oracle database instance.

Community Comment Notes

Community consensus strongly supports Option D. As user nebajp noted, "Its fulfilling the requirement of point in time. Automated Backup - Default retention period is 0-35 Days - so option A is wrong." User JoeTromundo further clarified that manual snapshots increase operational overhead and are prone to error, while Aurora Clones are not applicable to Oracle. The community agrees that AWS Backup is the only viable option for extending retention beyond 35 days with low operational effort.

Official Reference

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/USER_Backup.html

This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Exam Strategy

Always check the maximum retention limits of native services before choosing them for long-term compliance. If a requirement exceeds these limits (like 35 days for RDS automated backups), look for managed services like AWS Backup that offer flexible policy-based retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I just increase the RDS Automated Backup retention to 90 days?

Amazon RDS Automated Backups have a hard maximum retention limit of 35 days. You cannot configure them for longer periods.

Is AWS Backup required if I already have Automated Backups enabled?

Yes, if you need retention beyond 35 days. AWS Backup complements automated backups by allowing extended retention policies via backup plans.

More SAA-C03 FAQ →

Community Votes

D
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 4 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 4

  1. nebajp 👍 7 Answered D
    Correct Answer is D - Its fulfilling the requirement of point in time. Automated Backup - Default retention period is 0-35 Days - so option A is wrong.
  2. JoeTromundo 👍 5 Answered D
    A: Amazon RDS automated backups support a maximum retention period of 35 days. This option does not meet the requirement to retain backups for 90 days. B: This approach requires manual snapshot management, including scheduling snapshots and deleting old ones. This increases operational overhead and is prone to human error. C: This option is not applicable as Aurora Clone is a feature specific to Amazon Aurora and not available for Amazon RDS for Oracle. Additionally, it would require manual management of clones, increasing complexity. D: AWS Backup supports point-in-time recovery for Amazon RDS, enabling you to restore the database to any specific point within the defined retention period, up to 35 days. For the requirement of 14 days, AWS Backup easily supports this capability.
  3. spoved 👍 3 Answered D
    https://aws.amazon.com/getting-started/hands-on/amazon-rds-backup-restore-using-aws-backup/
  4. pujithacg8 👍 2
    Answer is D

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