- A
Use S3 Transfer Acceleration to upload files directly from the FTP server
Why wrong: The FTP server does not have S3 API access.
- B
Deploy AWS DataSync to transfer files from the FTP server to S3
AWS DataSync is designed for efficient data transfer from on-premises to AWS, handling small files well with minimal operational overhead.
- C
Use AWS Snowball Edge to ship the data to AWS
Why wrong: Snowball is for large data volumes and has shipping delays; not suitable for ongoing ingestion.
- D
Set up an AWS Direct Connect connection and use AWS CLI to copy files
Why wrong: Direct Connect requires network setup and CLI scripting; not the most cost-effective for small files.
Question 543 of 1,786
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 engineer is designing a data ingestion pipeline to load millions of small JSON files from an on-premises FTP server into Amazon S3. The pipeline should minimize cost and operational overhead. Which approach is most suitable?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
✓
Deploy AWS DataSync to transfer files from the FTP server to S3
AWS DataSync is the most suitable option because it is designed to efficiently transfer large volumes of data from on-premises storage (including FTP servers) to AWS, handling millions of small files with minimal operational overhead. It automates data transfer, retries, and validation, and it is cost-effective as you pay only for the data transferred, with no need for additional infrastructure or complex scripting.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 S3 Transfer Acceleration to upload files directly from the FTP server
Why it's wrong here
The FTP server does not have S3 API access.
- ✓
Deploy AWS DataSync to transfer files from the FTP server to S3
Why this is correct
AWS DataSync is designed for efficient data transfer from on-premises to AWS, handling small files well with minimal operational overhead.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS Snowball Edge to ship the data to AWS
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is for large data volumes and has shipping delays; not suitable for ongoing ingestion.
- ✗
Set up an AWS Direct Connect connection and use AWS CLI to copy files
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect requires network setup and CLI scripting; not the most cost-effective for small files.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume S3 Transfer Acceleration is a general-purpose acceleration tool for any source, but it only accelerates the upload leg from the client to AWS and does not address the FTP-to-S3 protocol conversion or the orchestration of millions of small files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DataSync uses a purpose-built network protocol and parallel multi-threading to optimize transfer of small files, reducing the overhead of individual file operations that can bottleneck traditional copy tools. It also supports incremental transfers and data validation using checksums, ensuring data integrity without manual intervention. In real-world scenarios, DataSync can handle millions of files by automatically batching and retrying failed transfers, which is critical when dealing with unreliable FTP servers or network interruptions.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DEA-C01 question test?
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy AWS DataSync to transfer files from the FTP server to S3 — AWS DataSync is the most suitable option because it is designed to efficiently transfer large volumes of data from on-premises storage (including FTP servers) to AWS, handling millions of small files with minimal operational overhead. It automates data transfer, retries, and validation, and it is cost-effective as you pay only for the data transferred, with no need for additional infrastructure or complex scripting.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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