Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Database Migration Service (DMS). AWS DMS is the correct choice because it supports live, continuous replication from a source MongoDB database to Amazon DocumentDB, enabling a migration with minimal downtime by keeping the target synchronized with the source until you cut over. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of migration strategies for NoSQL databases, often appearing as a scenario where you must distinguish between services for live migration versus batch data transfer. A common trap is confusing AWS DMS with AWS Glue or Snowball, but remember that DMS is purpose-built for ongoing replication and schema conversion, while Glue is for ETL and Snowball for offline bulk data movement. Memory tip: think “DMS = Database Migration Sync” for zero-downtime moves.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. 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 company is migrating an on-premises MongoDB database to Amazon DocumentDB. The data engineer needs to ensure minimal downtime during migration. Which AWS service should be used to facilitate the migration?
AWS Glue
Why wrong: Glue is an ETL service, not a database migration service.
AWS Snowball
Why wrong: Snowball is for offline data transfer, not live migration.
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
DMS supports live migration from MongoDB to DocumentDB with minimal downtime.
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why wrong: Accelerates S3 uploads, not database migration.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Option B is correct because AWS DMS supports live migration with minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because S3 is for object storage, not database migration. Option C is wrong because Snowball is for large data transfers, not continuous replication. Option D is wrong because AWS Glue is for ETL, not live database migration.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Glue
Why it's wrong here
Glue is an ETL service, not a database migration service.
AWS Snowball
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is for offline data transfer, not live migration.
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why this is correct
DMS supports live migration from MongoDB to DocumentDB with minimal downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why it's wrong here
Accelerates S3 uploads, not database migration.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Data Store Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) — Option B is correct because AWS DMS supports live migration with minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because S3 is for object storage, not database migration. Option C is wrong because Snowball is for large data transfers, not continuous replication. Option D is wrong because AWS Glue is for ETL, not live database migration.
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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