Quick Answer
The answer is to increase the size of the DMS replication instance. This directly reduces DMS CDC latency by providing more memory and CPU resources to process the change data capture stream from the source database. Even with a low write load, a small replication instance can become CPU or memory-bound during the initial CDC phase after a full load, causing a processing backlog that manifests as high latency. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that CDC latency is often a resource bottleneck on the replication instance, not a source-side tuning issue. A common trap is to assume that disabling validation or adjusting batch sizes will fix latency, but those address overhead or throughput, not raw processing capacity. Remember the memory tip: when you see CDC latency and a small instance, think “bigger engine, faster stream.”
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 uses AWS DMS to migrate a 2 TB PostgreSQL database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The migration task is set to full load + CDC. After the full load completes, the CDC phase starts but shows a high latency of 5 minutes. The source database has a low write load. What should the engineer do to reduce the CDC latency?
Decrease the batch size for the CDC task.
Why wrong: Smaller batches increase overhead.
Disable the validation feature on the DMS task.
Why wrong: May help slightly, but root cause is instance capacity.
Increase the size of the DMS replication instance.
More resources reduce latency.
Enable logging for the DMS task to capture additional details.
Why wrong: Does not reduce latency.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Increase the size of the DMS replication instance.
Option B is correct because increasing the DMS replication instance size provides more memory and CPU for processing changes. Option A is wrong because disabling validation reduces overhead but not latency due to resource constraints. Option C is wrong because the source has low write load, so batch size is not the bottleneck. Option D is wrong because the source is PostgreSQL, not Oracle.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Decrease the batch size for the CDC task.
Why it's wrong here
Smaller batches increase overhead.
Disable the validation feature on the DMS task.
Why it's wrong here
May help slightly, but root cause is instance capacity.
Increase the size of the DMS replication instance.
Why this is correct
More resources reduce latency.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Enable logging for the DMS task to capture additional details.
Why it's wrong here
Does not reduce latency.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. 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. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: Increase the size of the DMS replication instance. — Option B is correct because increasing the DMS replication instance size provides more memory and CPU for processing changes. Option A is wrong because disabling validation reduces overhead but not latency due to resource constraints. Option C is wrong because the source has low write load, so batch size is not the bottleneck. Option D is wrong because the source is PostgreSQL, not Oracle.
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.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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