Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS DMS with a VPN connection to the on-premises database. This approach is the most cost-effective and likely to succeed for migrating a 2 TB PostgreSQL database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL with limited bandwidth of 100 Mbps and a 5-day window because AWS DMS performs continuous change data capture, allowing the initial full load to run alongside ongoing replication, which compensates for the slow transfer rate by keeping the target nearly in sync until cutover. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of online versus offline migration trade-offs; a common trap is choosing Snowball for large datasets, but shipping time exceeds the window, or Direct Connect, which incurs high setup costs and latency. Remember the key constraint: when bandwidth is low but the window is tight, you need a continuous sync method, not a one-shot transfer. Memory tip: “DMS over VPN beats the clock—no ship, no setup, just sync.”
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 needs to migrate a 2 TB PostgreSQL database from an on-premises data center to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The network bandwidth is limited to 100 Mbps. The migration window is 5 days. Which approach is most cost-effective and likely to succeed?
Use AWS DMS with a VPN connection to the on-premises database
DMS can migrate online within bandwidth constraints.
Set up AWS Direct Connect and use DMS
Why wrong: Direct Connect provisioning may take more than 5 days.
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer data offline
Why wrong: Shipping may exceed the 5-day window.
Export to Amazon S3 and import into Aurora
Why wrong: Aurora PostgreSQL does not support direct S3 import.
Answer choices
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 a VPN connection to the on-premises database
Using AWS DMS over a VPN connection allows online migration without physical devices. Snowball requires shipping time. Direct Connect has setup time and cost. S3 import is not supported for Aurora PostgreSQL.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use AWS DMS with a VPN connection to the on-premises database
Why this is correct
DMS can migrate online within bandwidth constraints.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Set up AWS Direct Connect and use DMS
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect provisioning may take more than 5 days.
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer data offline
Why it's wrong here
Shipping may exceed the 5-day window.
Export to Amazon S3 and import into Aurora
Why it's wrong here
Aurora PostgreSQL does not support direct S3 import.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with a VPN connection to the on-premises database — Using AWS DMS over a VPN connection allows online migration without physical devices. Snowball requires shipping time. Direct Connect has setup time and cost. S3 import is not supported for Aurora PostgreSQL.
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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 wants to migrate a 10 TB Microsoft SQL Server database from on-premises to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. The migration must be completed within a week and minimize network bandwidth usage. Which approach is most suitable?
easyWhy D: AWS Snowball Edge is the most suitable approach because it allows you to transfer the 10 TB database backup files physically, bypassing the internet entirely. This eliminates network bandwidth constraints and ensures the migration can be completed within a week, as the data is shipped to AWS and then restored to Amazon RDS for SQL Server using native restore operations.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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