The answer is AWS Snowball, as it is the most efficient service for migrating a 500 GB Oracle database to Amazon Redshift when network bandwidth is limited. This is because Snowball bypasses network constraints entirely by physically shipping a ruggedized storage device, allowing you to transfer terabytes of data without relying on slow or congested links. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of when to use offline data transfer versus online methods like AWS DMS or S3 Transfer Acceleration—a common trap is choosing DMS for the initial load, but DMS is better suited for ongoing replication after the baseline is established via Snowball. Remember, for large database migration with limited bandwidth, think "ship it, don't stream it"—a simple memory tip is "Snowball for the big haul, DMS for the small calls."
DEA-C01 Data Ingestion and Transformation Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data ingestion and transformation. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company needs to ingest data from an on-premises Oracle database into Amazon Redshift for analytics. The data volume is 500 GB and the network bandwidth is limited. Which AWS service should be used for the initial one-time data migration?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Snowball
AWS Snowball is ideal for large data transfers over limited network bandwidth. It allows physical shipping of storage devices. AWS DMS can be used for ongoing replication, but for initial large volume with limited bandwidth, Snowball is more efficient. S3 Transfer Acceleration speeds up transfers, but still relies on network. Direct Connect improves network but may still be insufficient for 500 GB.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
AWS Snowball
Why this is correct
Snowball allows physical transfer of data, bypassing network limitations.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect provides dedicated network, but may still be slow for 500 GB over limited bandwidth.
✗
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why it's wrong here
Accelerates network transfer but still depends on internet bandwidth.
✗
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why it's wrong here
DMS is good for ongoing replication but initial load over limited bandwidth would be slow.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DEA-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Snowball — AWS Snowball is ideal for large data transfers over limited network bandwidth. It allows physical shipping of storage devices. AWS DMS can be used for ongoing replication, but for initial large volume with limited bandwidth, Snowball is more efficient. S3 Transfer Acceleration speeds up transfers, but still relies on network. Direct Connect improves network but may still be insufficient for 500 GB.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DEA-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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This DEA-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DEA-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
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