The correct answer combines DynamoDB’s export to S3 feature, Glue job bookmarks, and Parquet conversion in the Glue job. This trio achieves exactly-once processing by first using DynamoDB’s native export to S3, which provides a consistent full snapshot without impacting read capacity, making it ideal for large volumes. Glue job bookmarks then track which data has already been processed, preventing duplicates on subsequent runs, while converting to Parquet in the Glue job optimizes the S3 data lake for analytics. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of batch-oriented ingestion patterns versus streaming—a common trap is choosing Kinesis Data Streams or S3 Object Lambda, which are irrelevant here. Remember the mnemonic “Export, Bookmark, Parquet” to recall the three components: the export gives the clean source, bookmarks enforce idempotency, and Parquet delivers the efficient target format.
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 building a data ingestion pipeline using AWS Glue. The source is an Amazon DynamoDB table, and the target is an Amazon S3 data lake in Parquet format. The pipeline must handle large volumes and ensure exactly-once processing. Which THREE features should the engineer use together to achieve this? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the Glue job to convert data to Parquet format.
Options A, C, and E are correct. Option A: Glue job bookmarks track processed data to avoid duplicates. Option C: Using the DynamoDB export feature to S3 is efficient for large volumes and provides a consistent snapshot. Option E: Converting to Parquet in the Glue job is a common pattern. Option B is wrong because Kinesis Data Streams is for streaming, not for DynamoDB bulk export. Option D is wrong because S3 Object Lambda is for modifying data on read, not for ingestion.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 Amazon Kinesis Data Streams to capture DynamoDB Streams changes.
Why it's wrong here
This is for streaming, not for bulk export; also may not guarantee exactly-once for large backfills.
✓
Configure the Glue job to convert data to Parquet format.
Why this is correct
Parquet is columnar and efficient for analytics.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use Amazon S3 Object Lambda to transform data on the fly.
Why it's wrong here
S3 Object Lambda is for user-defined transformations on GET requests, not for ingestion pipelines.
✓
Enable job bookmarks in the Glue job to track processed items.
Why this is correct
Ensures exactly-once processing by skipping already processed data.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Use DynamoDB's export to S3 feature to get a full snapshot.
Why this is correct
Efficiently exports large data to S3 without scanning the table.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DEA-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the Glue job to convert data to Parquet format. — Options A, C, and E are correct. Option A: Glue job bookmarks track processed data to avoid duplicates. Option C: Using the DynamoDB export feature to S3 is efficient for large volumes and provides a consistent snapshot. Option E: Converting to Parquet in the Glue job is a common pattern. Option B is wrong because Kinesis Data Streams is for streaming, not for DynamoDB bulk export. Option D is wrong because S3 Object Lambda is for modifying data on read, not for ingestion.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DEA-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.