DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
A company is migrating its on-premises MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL. The current database has a table of 500 GB that is accessed by a nightly batch job that updates 80% of the rows. The company wants to minimize downtime during migration. Which migration strategy is MOST appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume mysqldump or S3 export are faster for large datasets, but they overlook the need for minimal downtime and the ability to keep the batch job running, which DMS’s CDC capability uniquely addresses.
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 Database Migration Service (DMS) with Aurora as the target.
AWS DMS supports ongoing replication from an on-premises MySQL source to Amazon Aurora MySQL, allowing the nightly batch job to continue running during the initial full load. After the full load completes, DMS captures incremental changes and applies them to Aurora, enabling a cutover with minimal downtime. This approach is ideal for large tables (500 GB) with high update volumes because it avoids a lengthy offline export/import process.
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 Database Migration Service (DMS) with Aurora as the target.
Why this is correct
DMS allows ongoing replication, minimizing downtime.
- ✗
Create an Aurora read replica from the on-premises database.
Why it's wrong here
Aurora read replicas cannot be created from on-premises databases.
- ✗
Export the data to Amazon S3 and load it into Aurora using the LOAD DATA FROM S3 command.
Why it's wrong here
Not designed for minimal downtime migration; requires manual steps.
- ✗
Use mysqldump to export the database and import it into Aurora.
Why it's wrong here
Requires significant downtime during dump and restore.
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