The correct answer is to take a native backup of the source, upload it to S3, and restore to RDS. This approach is the most efficient for large databases like a 5 TB SQL Server instance because native backup and restore leverages SQL Server’s own compression and parallel restore capabilities, minimizing downtime by avoiding the lengthy initial load and schema conversion overhead of other tools. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that while AWS DMS with ongoing replication can reduce downtime, the initial full load for a multi-terabyte database can be prohibitively slow, making native backup the preferred method for large-scale migrations. A common trap is assuming DMS is always the fastest option, but for SQL Server to RDS, native restore from S3 is optimized for bulk data transfer. Memory tip: think “Backup to S3, restore to RDS” as the “big data shortcut” for SQL Server migrations.
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 5 TB Microsoft SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. The migration must have minimal downtime. The source database is hosted on an EC2 instance. Which combination of steps should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Take a native backup of the source, upload to S3, and restore to RDS
Option B is correct because taking a native backup of the source database, uploading it to S3, and restoring to RDS is the most efficient method for large databases with minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because AWS DMS with ongoing replication is a viable option but may be slower for initial load. Option C is wrong because creating a read replica from an EC2-hosted database is not supported. Option D is wrong because using the Import Export wizard is manual and not suitable for large databases.
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.
✓
Take a native backup of the source, upload to S3, and restore to RDS
Why this is correct
Native backup/restore is efficient for large databases and supports minimal downtime.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use AWS DMS with full load and ongoing replication
Why it's wrong here
DMS can achieve minimal downtime but initial load may be slower than backup/restore.
✗
Create an RDS read replica from the EC2-hosted database
Why it's wrong here
RDS read replicas cannot be created from EC2 instances.
✗
Use the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard
Why it's wrong here
The wizard is not suitable for large databases and requires downtime.
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: Take a native backup of the source, upload to S3, and restore to RDS — Option B is correct because taking a native backup of the source database, uploading it to S3, and restoring to RDS is the most efficient method for large databases with minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because AWS DMS with ongoing replication is a viable option but may be slower for initial load. Option C is wrong because creating a read replica from an EC2-hosted database is not supported. Option D is wrong because using the Import Export wizard is manual and not suitable for large databases.
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.
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 →
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 needs to migrate a 100 GB on-premises SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. The migration must be completed within a 4-hour maintenance window. The network link has 500 Mbps throughput. Which approach should be used?
easy
A.Use AWS DMS with full load and CDC
✓ B.Use native SQL Server backup to S3, then restore to RDS
C.Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the backup
D.Launch an EC2 instance with SQL Server, copy the database, and then migrate to RDS
Why B: Option A is correct because native backup to S3 and restore to RDS is the fastest method for this size, and the network can transfer 100 GB in ~30 minutes. Option B is wrong because DMS with CDC adds complexity and is not needed. Option C is wrong because Snowball is unnecessary. Option D is wrong because EC2 is not needed.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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.
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