An RDS MySQL database is created for a new feature that your team is currently working on. The feature has used the database to save email transaction data for each customer. For the database, automated snapshots have been configured and are working properly. Due to business requirements, the newest snapshot needs to be shared and used in another AWS account. How can you share this automated RDS snapshot? 

Answer options:

A.First, make a copy of the snapshot, which turns it into a manual version. Then you share the copy with the other account.
B.Select the automated snapshot in the AWS console. Share the snapshot by “Actions -> Share Snapshot”.
C.Create a manual snapshot for the RDS database and make sure that it is encrypted. Then share the encrypted snapshot to another account via AWS console or CLI.
D.There is no way to share snapshots to another account for automated ones.

Correct Answer – A
Automated RDS snapshots cannot be shared directly with other accounts. The action of “Share Snapshot” cannot be selected:
This limitation is also explained in https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/database/implementing-a-disaster-recovery-strategy-with-amazon-rds/.
Option A is CORRECT: Because after the snapshot is copied to a manual snapshot, the manual copy can be shared between accounts.
Option B is incorrect: Because automated snapshots cannot be shared directly.
Option C is incorrect: Because whether encrypted or unencrypted, manual snapshots can be shared. For encrypted snapshots, the AWS KMS encryption key needs to be shared, bringing extra steps. It is unnecessary to encrypt the snapshot.
Option D is incorrect: Because you can still share automated snapshots by firstly copying them to new manual copies.