The answer is to create an Aurora MySQL replica from the RDS MySQL instance and promote it. This strategy works because Amazon Aurora’s native replication engine can establish a read replica directly from an RDS MySQL instance, allowing the replica to stay nearly synchronized with the source. Once the replica lag is minimal, you promote it to a standalone Aurora cluster, cutting over in seconds and achieving migration with minimal downtime. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of native replication versus snapshot-based or DMS approaches; the common trap is choosing AWS DMS, which, while capable, introduces unnecessary complexity and slower cutover compared to the built-in replica promotion. Remember the key distinction: Aurora can natively replicate from RDS MySQL, so you avoid the overhead of a separate migration tool. A useful memory tip is “Replicate, then promote” — think of it as a direct handoff rather than a full data reload.
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 an Amazon RDS for MySQL database with Multi-AZ deployment. The database is experiencing high CPU utilization due to a reporting workload. The company wants to migrate to Amazon Aurora MySQL to improve performance and scalability. The migration must have minimal downtime. Which migration strategy meets these requirements?
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 replica from the RDS MySQL instance and promote it
Option C is correct because creating an Aurora read replica from an RDS MySQL instance and then promoting it to a standalone Aurora cluster provides minimal downtime and leverages the built-in replication. Option A is wrong because taking a snapshot and restoring to Aurora requires downtime during the restore process. Option B is wrong because AWS DMS with full load plus CDC can achieve minimal downtime but is more complex and slower than using native replication. Option D is wrong because migrating to a larger RDS instance does not address the need to move to Aurora.
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.
✓
Create an Aurora MySQL replica from the RDS MySQL instance and promote it
Why this is correct
This allows minimal downtime and uses native replication.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Take a snapshot of the RDS instance and restore it to an Aurora cluster
Why it's wrong here
Snapshot restore requires downtime and does not capture ongoing changes.
✗
Migrate to a larger RDS MySQL instance to handle the workload
Why it's wrong here
This keeps the workload on RDS, not Aurora.
✗
Use AWS DMS with full load and ongoing replication
Why it's wrong here
DMS is a viable option but is more complex and slower than native replication.
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 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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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.
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: Create an Aurora MySQL replica from the RDS MySQL instance and promote it — Option C is correct because creating an Aurora read replica from an RDS MySQL instance and then promoting it to a standalone Aurora cluster provides minimal downtime and leverages the built-in replication. Option A is wrong because taking a snapshot and restoring to Aurora requires downtime during the restore process. Option B is wrong because AWS DMS with full load plus CDC can achieve minimal downtime but is more complex and slower than using native replication. Option D is wrong because migrating to a larger RDS instance does not address the need to move to Aurora.
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.
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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