DEA-C01 Data Operations and Support Practice Question
A data engineer is using AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) to migrate an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The migration is ongoing, and the engineer needs to ensure that changes made to the source database during the migration are replicated to the target. The engineer has set up a full load plus change data capture (CDC) task. However, after the full load completes, the CDC task fails with an error indicating that it cannot find the archive log files. What should the engineer do to resolve this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that scaling DMS resources or changing the target engine would fix a CDC error, when the error clearly points to missing archive logs on the source.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the source Oracle database to retain archive log files for a longer period and ensure they are accessible to AWS DMS.
AWS DMS CDC for Oracle relies on reading archive log files. If these logs are not retained or accessible, the CDC task fails. The engineer must ensure the source database retains archive logs for a sufficient period and that DMS can access them, typically by configuring Oracle to keep logs and granting necessary permissions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the number of AWS DMS replication instances to handle the CDC load.
Why it's wrong here
The error is about missing archive logs, not insufficient resources. Adding replication instances increases capacity but does not address the root cause. The CDC task specifically needs access to archive logs; more instances won't help if the logs are unavailable.
- ✗
Restart the AWS DMS task with the 'Stop task after full load completes' option enabled.
Why it's wrong here
Enabling this option would stop the task after full load, preventing CDC from running. The engineer needs CDC to continue, so this would not resolve the issue and would actually halt replication of ongoing changes. It is contrary to the requirement.
- ✓
Configure the source Oracle database to retain archive log files for a longer period and ensure they are accessible to AWS DMS.
Why this is correct
AWS DMS CDC requires access to Oracle archive log files to capture changes. If the logs are purged too quickly or not available, the CDC task fails. Increasing the retention period and ensuring accessibility allows DMS to read the logs and continue replication without interruption.
- ✗
Change the target endpoint to Amazon RDS for Oracle to match the source database engine.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the target to Oracle would not resolve the archive log access issue. The problem is on the source side, not the target. Moreover, the migration goal is to move to Aurora PostgreSQL, so changing the target contradicts the project's objective and does not fix the CDC error.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Amazon Web Services exam blueprint
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.