Quick Answer
The answer is AWS DataSync, as it is the most suitable service for automating the ingestion of FTP files to S3. AWS DataSync natively supports scheduled, incremental transfers from FTP servers directly to Amazon S3, handling large files like the 5 GB CSVs efficiently by parallelizing data streams and automatically validating checksums. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between services for file transfer versus data processing or acceleration; a common trap is confusing S3 Transfer Acceleration, which only speeds up client-to-S3 uploads, with DataSync’s ability to pull from external sources like FTP. Remember that DataSync is purpose-built for moving data between on-premises or remote servers and AWS, making it the go-to for scheduled batch ingestion. Memory tip: think “Sync from source, not speed to bucket” to avoid picking Transfer Acceleration.
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 data engineer needs to ingest daily CSV files from an external FTP server into Amazon S3. The files are 5 GB each. Which service is MOST suitable to automate this ingestion?
AWS AppSync
Why wrong: AppSync is for GraphQL APIs, not for file ingestion.
AWS DataSync
DataSync supports scheduled transfers from FTP servers to S3 with built-in monitoring.
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why wrong: Acceleration improves upload speed from client to S3, but cannot pull from FTP.
AWS Glue
Why wrong: Glue is an ETL service; not designed for file transfer from FTP.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS DataSync
Option A is correct because AWS DataSync supports scheduled transfers from FTP servers to S3. Option B (S3 Transfer Acceleration) only speeds up uploads to S3, not fetch from FTP. Option C (AWS Glue) is for ETL, not file transfer. Option D (AWS AppSync) is for real-time APIs, not batch file transfer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS AppSync
Why it's wrong here
AppSync is for GraphQL APIs, not for file ingestion.
AWS DataSync
Why this is correct
DataSync supports scheduled transfers from FTP servers to S3 with built-in monitoring.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why it's wrong here
Acceleration improves upload speed from client to S3, but cannot pull from FTP.
AWS Glue
Why it's wrong here
Glue is an ETL service; not designed for file transfer from FTP.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS DataSync — Option A is correct because AWS DataSync supports scheduled transfers from FTP servers to S3. Option B (S3 Transfer Acceleration) only speeds up uploads to S3, not fetch from FTP. Option C (AWS Glue) is for ETL, not file transfer. Option D (AWS AppSync) is for real-time APIs, not batch file transfer.
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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