What should the Database Specialist do to meet these requirements?
Restore a snapshot from the production cluster into test clusters
Create logical dumps of the production cluster and restore them into new test clusters
Use database cloning to create clones of the production cluster
Add an additional read replica to the production cluster and use that node for testing
Explanations:
Restoring a snapshot into a test cluster is a valid method but involves more manual intervention and administrative effort compared to using database cloning. Additionally, the process of creating a snapshot and restoring it is time-consuming and does not provide the quickest solution.
Creating logical dumps and restoring them into new test clusters is more time-consuming and requires more administrative overhead than other options. Logical backups can also have compatibility or consistency issues when transferring large datasets.
Database cloning in Amazon Aurora MySQL allows for quick and easy creation of test databases by cloning the production cluster without copying data. The process is efficient and minimizes administrative effort, as it creates a new cluster that shares data with the production cluster while being independent for testing.
Adding a read replica to the production cluster and using it for testing is not a valid solution. Read replicas are intended for read-heavy workloads and are not designed for creating isolated test environments. They cannot be easily used for testing purposes since they will always be read-only.
I conclude that the answer is:
Use database cloning to create clones of the production cluster