CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

How can relational database read performance be improved?

1. Adding a read replica

2. Scaling vertically

3. Auto-sizing

4. Scoping horizontally

The correct answer is: Adding a read replica

Improving read performance in a relational database can be effectively achieved through the addition of a read replica. A read replica is a copy of the primary database that is used specifically to handle read requests. By distributing the read load across multiple replicas, the primary database is relieved from the resource-intensive operations of processing read queries. This not only increases the overall throughput of the database system but also enhances response times for end-users, especially in environments with heavy read operations. This approach is particularly beneficial in scenarios where the workload consists of many more read operations compared to write operations, as read replicas can serve the requests without putting additional strain on the primary database. Furthermore, it provides redundancy, improving availability and fault tolerance because if the primary database goes down, the read replicas can continue to serve read requests. The other methods mentioned, such as vertical scaling and horizontal scalability, serve different purposes. Vertical scaling involves adding more resource power (CPU, memory) to the existing database server, which can improve performance but has its limits and may not address read performance specifically. Auto-sizing relates to adjusting the allocated resources based on real-time demand and is more about managing capacity rather than directly enhancing read performance. Scoping horizontally typically refers to distributing data across multiple nodes but does not specifically address