Auto-scaling configuration in DynamoDB - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is auto-scaling in DynamoDB?

Auto-scaling in DynamoDB automatically adjusts the read and write capacity of your tables based on traffic patterns to maintain performance and control costs.

beginner

Which two capacity types can DynamoDB auto-scale?

DynamoDB auto-scales both Read Capacity Units (RCUs) and Write Capacity Units (WCUs) to match the workload demand.

intermediate

What is the role of a target utilization percentage in DynamoDB auto-scaling?

The target utilization percentage defines the desired average usage of provisioned capacity. Auto-scaling adjusts capacity to keep usage near this target.

beginner

Name one benefit of enabling auto-scaling for DynamoDB tables.

Auto-scaling helps avoid throttling by adjusting capacity automatically and reduces manual effort to manage capacity, saving costs and improving reliability.

intermediate

What happens if the traffic exceeds the maximum capacity set in DynamoDB auto-scaling?

If traffic exceeds the maximum capacity, requests may be throttled, causing delays or errors until capacity is increased or traffic decreases.

What does DynamoDB auto-scaling adjust automatically?

A Number of indexes

B Table size in GB

C Read and write capacity units

D Backup frequency

DynamoDB auto-scaling adjusts the provisioned read and write capacity units to match workload demand.

Which metric does DynamoDB auto-scaling use to decide when to scale?

A CPU usage

B Target utilization percentage

C Disk space used

D Number of items in the table

Auto-scaling uses the target utilization percentage to maintain capacity near the desired usage level.

What happens if you set a very low maximum capacity in auto-scaling?

A Capacity will never scale above that max, risking throttling

B Auto-scaling will ignore the max capacity

C Capacity will scale infinitely

D The table will delete automatically

The maximum capacity limits scaling; if traffic exceeds it, throttling can occur.

Which AWS service is used to configure DynamoDB auto-scaling?

A AWS Application Auto Scaling

B Amazon CloudWatch

C AWS Lambda

D Amazon S3

AWS Application Auto Scaling manages auto-scaling for DynamoDB tables.

Why is auto-scaling important for DynamoDB tables?

A To automatically backup data

B To create indexes automatically

C To encrypt data at rest

D To adjust capacity to workload and avoid manual changes

Auto-scaling adjusts capacity automatically to match workload, reducing manual effort and preventing throttling.

Explain how DynamoDB auto-scaling works and why it is useful.

Think about how capacity changes with traffic.

Describe the risks of setting incorrect minimum or maximum capacity limits in DynamoDB auto-scaling.

Consider what happens if limits are too strict or too loose.