DBS-C01 AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) Practice Question
A company needs to migrate a 1 TB Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The migration must have minimal downtime and the source database is running on-premises. Which TWO AWS services should be used together to achieve this?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates may assume AWS DMS alone is sufficient for a homogeneous migration. However, for a 1 TB database with minimal downtime, a dedicated network service like AWS Direct Connect is essential to maintain consistent throughput. Candidates might incorrectly choose AWS SCT, which is only needed for heterogeneous migrations, or AWS Snowball, which is for offline transfer and not suitable for minimal downtime.
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
✓
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
To migrate a 1 TB Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle with minimal downtime, two services are required. AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) performs the initial full load and then uses Change Data Capture (CDC) to continuously replicate ongoing changes, minimizing downtime. AWS Direct Connect establishes a dedicated network connection between the on-premises environment and AWS, ensuring stable and high-bandwidth data transfer necessary for the large database migration. Without Direct Connect, the replication could be impacted by internet latency or outages.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why this is correct
AWS DMS is correct. It handles the full load and CDC replication for minimal downtime.
- ✗
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
Why it's wrong here
AWS SCT is not needed because this is a homogeneous migration (Oracle to Oracle) with no schema conversion required. It is used for heterogeneous migrations.
- ✗
AWS CloudEndure Migration
Why it's wrong here
AWS CloudEndure Migration is for server migration, not database migration, and is not suitable here.
- ✓
AWS Snowball
Why this is correct
AWS Snowball is for offline data transfer. While it can be used for large data transfer, it does not support minimal downtime as it disrupts operations during the transfer. DMS with CDC is better.
- ✗
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
AWS Direct Connect is correct. It provides a dedicated, reliable network connection essential for stable replication of a 1 TB database with minimal downtime.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.