The correct choice is to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication because it directly addresses the need to migrate Oracle databases with LOBs to RDS with minimal downtime. DMS performs a full load of the table, including BLOB columns storing PDFs, while simultaneously capturing and applying ongoing changes from the source, keeping the target RDS instance nearly in sync until cutover. This approach is tested on the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam as a core strategy for reducing downtime during large-object migrations; a common trap is assuming that export/import or backup restore is faster, but those methods require the source to be offline for the entire duration. Remember that DMS’s change data capture (CDC) is the key to zero-downtime migrations—think "LOB + CDC = low downtime."
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 an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database has a large table with a BLOB column storing PDF files. Which migration approach minimizes downtime?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication.
Option B is correct because AWS DMS can perform ongoing replication to keep the target in sync during the full load, minimizing downtime. Option A is wrong because exporting and importing BLOBs can be time-consuming and cause significant downtime. Option C is wrong because direct backup restore requires a compatible format and may not support ongoing replication. Option D is wrong because disabling BLOB columns during migration is not practical for the application.
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.
✗
Use Oracle Data Pump to export the table and import into RDS.
Why it's wrong here
Export/import requires application downtime and does not support ongoing replication.
✗
Use Oracle RMAN to back up the database and restore to RDS.
Why it's wrong here
RMAN restore requires a compatible Oracle version and does not support ongoing replication.
✗
Export the table without the BLOB column, then import the BLOBs separately.
Why it's wrong here
This approach is complex and still requires downtime for the BLOB data.
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication.
Why this is correct
DMS can perform a full load and then continuously replicate changes to minimize downtime.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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: Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication. — Option B is correct because AWS DMS can perform ongoing replication to keep the target in sync during the full load, minimizing downtime. Option A is wrong because exporting and importing BLOBs can be time-consuming and cause significant downtime. Option C is wrong because direct backup restore requires a compatible format and may not support ongoing replication. Option D is wrong because disabling BLOB columns during migration is not practical for the application.
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 is migrating a 5 TB Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database has several large tables with LOB columns. The migration must have minimal downtime. Which approach should be taken?
hard
A.Use Oracle GoldenGate to replicate data to RDS.
✓ B.Use AWS DMS with LOB support and ongoing replication from Oracle to RDS.
C.Use Oracle Data Pump to export the database and import into RDS.
D.Copy the database files to Amazon S3 and use the rdsadmin.rds_restore_from_s3 procedure.
Why B: AWS DMS with LOB support and ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) is the correct approach because it enables a near-zero downtime migration by continuously replicating changes from the source Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle after an initial full load. DMS handles large LOB columns efficiently using its 'Full LOB mode' or 'Limited LOB mode' settings, which are critical for tables with LOB data. The combination of full load + CDC ensures minimal downtime, as the target remains synchronized until cutover.
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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