Question 682 of 1,786
Data Ingestion and TransformationmediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Using AWS DataSync for Scheduled Database File Transfers from Behind a Firewall to S3

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 needs to ingest data from an on-premises Oracle database into Amazon S3 on a daily basis. The data volume is approximately 500 GB per day. The source database is behind a firewall that does not allow direct internet access. Which service should the engineer use to transfer the data securely?

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

AWS DataSync with a network path through AWS Direct Connect or VPN.

AWS DataSync can transfer data from on-premises storage to AWS over a network path established through AWS Direct Connect or a VPN, which is necessary because the source database is behind a firewall that blocks direct internet access. DataSync automates the movement of large datasets (up to 500 GB daily) and integrates with Oracle databases via a supported agent, handling incremental transfers efficiently. This makes it the correct choice for secure, scheduled, and high-volume data ingestion into Amazon S3.

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.

  • AWS DataSync with a network path through AWS Direct Connect or VPN.

    Why this is correct

    DataSync is designed for scheduled transfers to S3.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication from Oracle to S3.

    Why it's wrong here

    DMS is for live migration, not daily batch.

  • Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration with a public endpoint.

    Why it's wrong here

    Requires internet; not suitable for firewalled network.

  • AWS Snowball Edge device for daily transfers.

    Why it's wrong here

    Snowball is for large, offline, one-time transfers.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may assume AWS DMS is the only tool for database-to-S3 transfers, overlooking that DataSync is purpose-built for scheduled, large-volume file transfers from on-premises systems behind firewalls, while DMS is optimized for ongoing replication and schema conversion, not daily bulk dumps.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

AWS DataSync uses a lightweight agent installed on-premises that connects to AWS over TLS 1.2 through a VPC endpoint or Direct Connect/VPN, enabling encrypted data transfer without exposing the source to the internet. It supports incremental transfers by tracking file changes using checksums and timestamps, which is critical for daily 500 GB loads to avoid re-transferring unchanged data. Under the hood, DataSync uses a proprietary protocol optimized for parallel data streams over a single TCP connection, achieving high throughput even over limited bandwidth links.

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 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.

Quick reference

AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison

Storage ClassMin DurationRetrievalUse Case
S3 StandardNoneImmediateFrequently accessed data
S3 Standard-IA30 daysImmediateInfrequent access, rapid retrieval
S3 One Zone-IA30 daysImmediateNon-critical infrequent data
S3 Intelligent-TieringNoneImmediate–hoursUnknown or changing access patterns
S3 Glacier Instant90 daysMillisecondsArchive with instant retrieval
S3 Glacier Flexible90 daysMinutes–hoursArchive, flexible retrieval
S3 Glacier Deep Archive180 daysHoursLong-term compliance archive

What to study next

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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: AWS DataSync with a network path through AWS Direct Connect or VPN. — AWS DataSync can transfer data from on-premises storage to AWS over a network path established through AWS Direct Connect or a VPN, which is necessary because the source database is behind a firewall that blocks direct internet access. DataSync automates the movement of large datasets (up to 500 GB daily) and integrates with Oracle databases via a supported agent, handling incremental transfers efficiently. This makes it the correct choice for secure, scheduled, and high-volume data ingestion into Amazon S3.

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.

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

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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.