The correct answer is to use AWS Snowball Edge for the initial full load, then AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for ongoing changes. This approach works because a 100 Mbps link can only transfer roughly 1 TB per day, meaning a 10 TB Oracle data warehouse would take over 11 days for the full load alone—far exceeding the 5-day window. Snowball Edge bypasses bandwidth constraints by physically shipping the data, completing the initial transfer in days, while DMS handles incremental replication over the limited connection. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid migration strategies where network speed is the bottleneck; a common trap is choosing direct DMS or SCT, but SCT is only for schema conversion, not data transfer. Remember the memory tip: “Snowball for the haul, DMS for the crawl”—physical transport for the heavy lift, then sync the changes over the wire.
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 10 TB Oracle Data Warehouse to Amazon Redshift. The source database runs on premises with limited bandwidth (100 Mbps). The migration must complete within 5 days. Which approach is most cost-effective and meets the timeline?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the initial full load, then AWS DMS for ongoing changes.
Option C is correct because AWS Snowball Edge can transfer 10 TB in days, then use DMS for ongoing sync. Option A is wrong because 100 Mbps would take ~11 days for full load alone. Option B is wrong because direct DMS over 100 Mbps would take too long for initial load. Option D is wrong because SCT is not a data transfer tool.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 AWS DMS over the internet to migrate data.
Why it's wrong here
Bandwidth insufficient for 10 TB in 5 days.
✓
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the initial full load, then AWS DMS for ongoing changes.
Why this is correct
Snowball is fast and cost-effective for large data transfer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert and then upload to S3.
Why it's wrong here
SCT does not handle data transfer.
✗
Use AWS DMS with AWS Direct Connect at 1 Gbps.
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect may not be available immediately; also costly.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the initial full load, then AWS DMS for ongoing changes. — Option C is correct because AWS Snowball Edge can transfer 10 TB in days, then use DMS for ongoing sync. Option A is wrong because 100 Mbps would take ~11 days for full load alone. Option B is wrong because direct DMS over 100 Mbps would take too long for initial load. Option D is wrong because SCT is not a data transfer tool.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is migrating a 10 TB Oracle data warehouse to Amazon Redshift. The migration must minimize data transfer costs and ensure data integrity. Which TWO steps should the company take?
hard
A.Use AWS DMS to replicate data directly over the internet
B.Use Amazon Kinesis Data Streams to stream data to Redshift
C.Use Amazon Redshift Spectrum to query data in S3 after loading
✓ D.Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the Oracle schema to Redshift
✓ E.Use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transfer the data
Why D: Options A and D are correct. AWS SCT can assess the schema and convert it for Redshift. AWS Snowball Edge can transfer the large dataset offline to reduce network costs. Option B is wrong because DMS may incur high network costs and time. Option C is wrong because Redshift Spectrum queries data in S3, not for migration. Option E is wrong because Kinesis is for streaming, not for bulk migration.
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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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