DEA-C01 Data Store Management Practice Question
A data engineer needs to migrate an on-premises MySQL database to Amazon RDS for MySQL with minimal downtime. Which approach should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'minimal downtime' with 'zero data loss' and assume a simple dump/import or a read replica (which only works for RDS-to-RDS) is sufficient, overlooking the need for ongoing replication to keep the target synchronized during the migration window.
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
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication from the source database.
AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) is the correct approach because it allows continuous synchronization from the on-premises MySQL source to the RDS target, enabling a cutover with minimal downtime. Unlike one-time export/import tools, DMS captures ongoing changes during the migration, so the target stays up-to-date until you switch over.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use mysqldump to export the database and import into RDS.
Why it's wrong here
mysqldump takes a point-in-time logical export, so writes occurring during the dump and import are lost, producing downtime. It is tempting because it is simple and free for small databases, and would be correct where a maintenance window and some data loss are acceptable.
- ✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication from the source database.
Why this is correct
DMS performs a full load then applies ongoing change data capture replication from the MySQL source, keeping the target synchronised until cutover. This continuous replication is what achieves minimal downtime rather than a one-off snapshot migration.
- ✗
Create an RDS read replica and promote it.
Why it's wrong here
An RDS read replica can only be created from an existing RDS or external source already configured for replication; it cannot be created directly from an on-premises MySQL instance without that replication link. It is tempting because promoting a replica is a genuine low-downtime migration pattern, and would be correct between RDS instances or via a configured external source.
- ✗
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema and then copy data.
Why it's wrong here
SCT converts schema and code between different database engines; migrating MySQL to MySQL needs no conversion, and SCT does not copy the data itself. It is tempting because it is the standard tool for heterogeneous migrations, and would be correct when moving from, say, Oracle to RDS for MySQL.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every DEA-C01 question from scratch — 1,321 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.