The answer is to increase the size of the AWS DMS replication instance, such as moving from a dms.c5.xlarge to a dms.c5.2xlarge. This is correct because ongoing replication for high transaction SQL Server databases is CPU and memory intensive; a larger instance provides the additional compute resources needed to process and apply the Change Data Capture (CDC) stream without falling behind. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that while batch apply and parallel tasks have their places, the most direct fix for a replication bottleneck under high-volume transaction load is scaling the instance vertically. A common trap is to confuse full-load optimizations (like parallel load tasks) with ongoing replication tuning, or to assume disabling logging will help—it only reduces fault tolerance. Memory tip: for ongoing replication, think “more power, not more tricks”—scale the instance first.
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 is migrating a 1 TB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. They use AWS DMS with full load and ongoing replication. After the full load completes, they observe that the ongoing replication is falling behind and the target database is not consistent. The source database has high transaction volume. What is the most effective way to improve replication performance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the size of the DMS replication instance (e.g., from dms.c5.xlarge to dms.c5.2xlarge).
Option D is correct because increasing the replication instance size provides more CPU and memory, which can handle higher volumes of changes. Option A is wrong because parallel load tasks apply to full load, not ongoing replication. Option B is wrong because batch apply can help but may not be sufficient if the instance is underpowered. Option C is wrong because disabling logging reduces fault tolerance but does not improve replication speed.
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.
✗
Disable CloudWatch logging for the DMS replication instance.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling logging has minimal impact on replication performance.
✗
Configure multiple parallel load tasks for ongoing replication.
Why it's wrong here
Parallel load is for full load; ongoing replication uses a single task.
✗
Enable batch apply mode in the DMS task.
Why it's wrong here
Batch apply can improve apply speed but may not address capture performance.
✓
Increase the size of the DMS replication instance (e.g., from dms.c5.xlarge to dms.c5.2xlarge).
Why this is correct
A larger instance provides more resources to process transactions faster.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 DBS-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.
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the size of the DMS replication instance (e.g., from dms.c5.xlarge to dms.c5.2xlarge). — Option D is correct because increasing the replication instance size provides more CPU and memory, which can handle higher volumes of changes. Option A is wrong because parallel load tasks apply to full load, not ongoing replication. Option B is wrong because batch apply can help but may not be sufficient if the instance is underpowered. Option C is wrong because disabling logging reduces fault tolerance but does not improve replication speed.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DBS-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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This DBS-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 DBS-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
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