The answer is to use AWS DMS with SSL encryption and ongoing change data capture replication. This combination is correct because DMS handles the actual database migration while SSL ensures encrypted data transfer in transit, and CDC allows continuous replication of changes from the source to the target, keeping them nearly synchronized for minimal downtime. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to meet both security and availability requirements during a PostgreSQL migration to RDS with encryption, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose a VPN-only solution or an S3 intermediary. Remember that DMS is the only service here that directly migrates database schemas and data, while SSL provides the encryption layer and CDC eliminates the need for a long cutover window. A helpful memory tip is “DMS + SSL + CDC = secure, near-zero downtime migration.”
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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 has a 200 GB PostgreSQL database on-premises and wants to migrate to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The company requires encrypted data transfer and wants to minimize downtime. Which combination of services should be used?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS DMS with SSL and ongoing replication
Option B is correct because AWS DMS supports SSL encryption and CDC for minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because S3 does not provide database migration. Option C is wrong because EC2 instance is not needed. Option D is wrong because VPN alone does not migrate data.
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 native pg_dump to S3, then import to RDS
Why it's wrong here
This requires downtime and does not support CDC.
✗
Use AWS VPN to connect on-premises to RDS and perform a database dump
Why it's wrong here
VPN alone does not provide migration; a dump requires downtime.
✓
Use AWS DMS with SSL and ongoing replication
Why this is correct
DMS supports encrypted transfer and CDC for minimal downtime.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use an EC2 instance with PostgreSQL replication to RDS
Why it's wrong here
This requires manual setup and is more complex than DMS.
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 DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with SSL and ongoing replication — Option B is correct because AWS DMS supports SSL encryption and CDC for minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because S3 does not provide database migration. Option C is wrong because EC2 instance is not needed. Option D is wrong because VPN alone does not migrate data.
What should I do if I get this DBS-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 DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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