The answer is to create an Aurora MySQL read replica from the existing RDS instance and then promote it. This strategy is correct because it leverages MySQL’s native binlog replication to keep the Aurora cluster continuously synchronized with the source RDS database, avoiding the lengthy export/import process required for a 2 TB dataset. Once the replica lag reaches zero, promoting the Aurora cluster takes only seconds to stop writes and redirect traffic, achieving the minimal downtime the scenario demands. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of managed replication for near-zero-downtime migrations, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose snapshot restore or DMS—both of which introduce longer cutover windows. A key memory tip: think “replica then promote” for RDS to Aurora, as the binlog replication handles the heavy lifting while you control the final switch.
DEA-C01 Data Store Management Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 running a MySQL database on Amazon RDS. The database size is 2 TB, and the company needs to migrate it to Amazon Aurora MySQL with minimal downtime. Which migration strategy is most appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an Aurora MySQL read replica from the RDS instance, then promote it.
Creating an Aurora MySQL read replica from the existing RDS MySQL instance allows the Aurora cluster to stay synchronized with the source using MySQL’s native binlog replication. Once the replica lag reaches zero, you can promote it to a standalone Aurora cluster with minimal downtime, typically just a few seconds to stop writes and redirect traffic. This approach avoids the lengthy export/import process and leverages Amazon’s managed replication for near-zero-downtime migration.
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.
✓
Create an Aurora MySQL read replica from the RDS instance, then promote it.
Why this is correct
This approach allows replication with minimal downtime, then promote to master.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use mysqldump to export the database and import it into Aurora.
Why it's wrong here
mysqldump is not efficient for a 2 TB database and would cause significant downtime.
✗
Take a snapshot of the RDS instance and restore it as an Aurora cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Restoring from snapshot requires downtime during the restore process.
✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with full load and ongoing replication.
Why it's wrong here
DMS works but may not be the most minimal downtime option compared to Aurora replication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume DMS is always the best for minimal downtime, but for MySQL-to-Aurora migrations, the native read-replica promotion is simpler, faster, and fully managed by AWS, making it the most appropriate choice for this specific scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Aurora read replica uses MySQL’s asynchronous replication with GTID-based binlog coordinates, allowing the Aurora cluster to apply changes from the RDS source in near real-time. A subtle behavior is that the RDS instance must have automatic backups enabled and binlog retention set appropriately to ensure the replica can catch up without gaps. In real-world scenarios, this method is ideal for large databases because it avoids the full data copy overhead of DMS and the manual consistency checks required by mysqldump.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an Aurora MySQL read replica from the RDS instance, then promote it. — Creating an Aurora MySQL read replica from the existing RDS MySQL instance allows the Aurora cluster to stay synchronized with the source using MySQL’s native binlog replication. Once the replica lag reaches zero, you can promote it to a standalone Aurora cluster with minimal downtime, typically just a few seconds to stop writes and redirect traffic. This approach avoids the lengthy export/import process and leverages Amazon’s managed replication for near-zero-downtime migration.
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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Question Discussion
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