DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
A company is migrating a 500 GB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. They need to minimize downtime and support ongoing changes during migration. Which approach should they take?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse log shipping (a native SQL Server HA feature) with AWS DMS CDC, but log shipping is not supported on RDS for SQL Server, making DMS the only viable option for minimizing downtime with ongoing changes.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
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 full load and change data capture (CDC)
AWS DMS with full load and change data capture (CDC) is the correct approach because it allows the initial 500 GB data load to be migrated while continuously replicating ongoing changes from the source SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. This minimizes downtime by enabling a cutover only after the target is fully synchronized, and it supports ongoing changes during migration without requiring the source database to be taken offline.
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 native SQL Server backup and restore to RDS
Why it's wrong here
Backup/restore requires the database to be offline during backup.
- ✗
Set up a Direct Connect connection and use log shipping
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is a network connection, not a migration tool.
- ✗
Use SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) to replicate data
Why it's wrong here
SSIS is not designed for ongoing replication with minimal downtime.
- ✓
Use AWS DMS with full load and change data capture (CDC)
Why this is correct
DMS with CDC enables minimal downtime by replicating changes.
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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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