Quick Answer
The answer is to enable binary logging on the source MySQL database for change data capture and use AWS DMS with ongoing replication. This combination allows DMS to perform a full load of the 2 TB database while simultaneously capturing incremental changes from the binary logs, ensuring minimal downtime and strong data consistency during the migration to Aurora MySQL. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of online migration strategies versus offline methods; a common trap is choosing mysqldump or Snowball, which cause significant downtime or are designed for offline transfers. Remember that for large databases requiring near-zero downtime, you must enable binlog on the source and pair it with DMS’s CDC feature. A helpful memory tip is “Binlog + CDC = Zero Downtime,” as the binary log acts as the continuous change stream that keeps the target Aurora cluster synchronized until you cut over.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 2 TB MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL. They want to minimize downtime and ensure data consistency. Which TWO methods should they use? (Choose two.)
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.
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication
Minimizes downtime with CDC.
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool to convert the schema
Why wrong: Not needed for same engine migration.
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer backup files
Why wrong: Offline transfer causes downtime.
Enable binary logging on the source database for change data capture
Required for DMS CDC.
Use mysqldump to export data
Why wrong: Causes downtime.
Answer choices
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 ongoing replication
Option A (DMS with CDC) and Option C (Enable binlog on source for CDC) are correct. Option B (mysqldump) causes downtime. Option D (Snowball) is for offline transfer. Option E (SCT) is for schema conversion.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication
Why this is correct
Minimizes downtime with CDC.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool to convert the schema
Why it's wrong here
Not needed for same engine migration.
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer backup files
Why it's wrong here
Offline transfer causes downtime.
Enable binary logging on the source database for change data capture
Why this is correct
Required for DMS CDC.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use mysqldump to export data
Why it's wrong here
Causes downtime.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Deployment and Migration practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication — Option A (DMS with CDC) and Option C (Enable binlog on source for CDC) are correct. Option B (mysqldump) causes downtime. Option D (Snowball) is for offline transfer. Option E (SCT) is for schema conversion.
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.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
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 2 TB MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL. They need to minimize downtime and ensure data consistency. Which approach should be used?
mediumWhy A: Using AWS DMS with change data capture (CDC) from an on-premises source allows continuous replication, minimizing downtime. A full dump and restore requires downtime. SCT is for schema conversion. Direct connect alone doesn't handle migration.
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.