The answer is AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication, which uses change data capture (CDC) to continuously read Oracle redo logs and apply transactions to the target Amazon RDS for Oracle instance in near real time. This approach is correct for a high-volume write environment because CDC captures only incremental changes after the full load, avoiding bulk data transfer and enabling minimal downtime during migration. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to meet strict RTO/RPO requirements for heterogeneous migrations, with a common trap being to select AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) or a simple one-time DMS task instead of enabling ongoing replication. Remember that CDC is the key differentiator: if the question demands “continuous” or “near-zero downtime,” you must choose DMS with ongoing replication, not just the full load. A useful memory tip is “CDC = Continuous Data Capture,” linking redo logs to real-time streaming.
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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 financial services company is migrating an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database has a high volume of write transactions and requires minimal downtime during migration. Which AWS service or feature should be used to replicate data continuously to the target RDS instance during the migration?
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 (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) is the correct choice because it continuously captures and applies changes from the source Oracle database to the target Amazon RDS for Oracle instance, enabling near-zero downtime during migration. This is achieved by using Oracle's redo logs to stream transactions in real time, which meets the high write volume and minimal downtime requirements.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Amazon RDS Read Replica
Why it's wrong here
Read Replicas are for offloading read traffic, not for migration from on-premises.
✗
Amazon RDS Multi-AZ deployment
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ provides high availability within AWS, not replication from on-premises.
✓
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication
Why this is correct
AWS DMS can perform full load and then continuously replicate changes via CDC.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT)
Why it's wrong here
AWS SCT converts schema and code, but does not replicate data continuously.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse continuous replication with high-availability features like Multi-AZ or read replicas, but those services cannot ingest data from an on-premises source; only AWS DMS with CDC provides the necessary ongoing replication for a live migration with minimal downtime.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses Oracle LogMiner or Oracle's binary reader to capture changes from the source database's redo logs, applying them to the target RDS instance with minimal latency. In a real-world scenario, you must enable supplemental logging on the source Oracle database to ensure all required columns are captured for CDC. DMS also handles large transactions by batching changes and using checkpointing to resume from failures, which is critical for high-volume write workloads.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication — AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) is the correct choice because it continuously captures and applies changes from the source Oracle database to the target Amazon RDS for Oracle instance, enabling near-zero downtime during migration. This is achieved by using Oracle's redo logs to stream transactions in real time, which meets the high write volume and minimal downtime requirements.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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