The answer is the DMS replication instance, a source endpoint for Oracle, and a target endpoint for Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. These three resources are required because AWS DMS uses the replication instance as the compute engine to perform the migration, while the source and target endpoints define the connection details for the Oracle database and the RDS for PostgreSQL instance, respectively. For a migration with minimal downtime and ongoing change data capture (CDC), the replication instance must be sized appropriately to handle both the full load and the continuous replication of changes from Oracle’s redo logs. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DMS core components versus optional tools like S3 for staging or Snowball for offline transfers—common traps that distract from the essential trio. Remember the memory tip: “Instance, Source, Target—the three pillars of DMS.”
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 data engineering team is using AWS DMS to migrate a 2 TB Oracle database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The migration must have minimal downtime and needs to capture ongoing changes after the full load. Which THREE resources are required for this task? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A DMS source endpoint configured for Oracle.
A is correct because a DMS replication instance is needed to run the migration tasks. B is correct because a source endpoint for Oracle is required. E is correct because a target endpoint for RDS PostgreSQL is required. C is wrong because an S3 bucket is not required unless using S3 as a target. D is wrong because a Snowball device is for large offline transfers, not for DMS.
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.
✓
A DMS source endpoint configured for Oracle.
Why this is correct
Connects to the source Oracle database.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
An AWS DMS replication instance.
Why this is correct
Required to execute the migration tasks.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
An AWS Snowball Edge device for initial data transfer.
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is for large offline migrations, not for DMS.
✗
An Amazon S3 bucket for staging the data.
Why it's wrong here
Not required for DMS; DMS transfers directly.
✓
A DMS target endpoint configured for Amazon RDS PostgreSQL.
Why this is correct
Connects to the target RDS PostgreSQL database.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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: A DMS source endpoint configured for Oracle. — A is correct because a DMS replication instance is needed to run the migration tasks. B is correct because a source endpoint for Oracle is required. E is correct because a target endpoint for RDS PostgreSQL is required. C is wrong because an S3 bucket is not required unless using S3 as a target. D is wrong because a Snowball device is for large offline transfers, not for DMS.
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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Question Discussion
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