The answer is to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) and AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) together. AWS DMS handles the ongoing replication needed for minimal downtime migration by continuously syncing changes from the source SQL Server database to the target Amazon RDS for SQL Server, while AWS SCT converts the source schema and assesses any incompatibilities, ensuring the target environment is ready before the cutover. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this pairing tests your understanding of how to achieve near-zero downtime for heterogeneous or homogeneous migrations, with a common trap being to confuse offline tools like Snowball or native replication options that RDS does not support as a target. Remember the mnemonic “DMS for data, SCT for schema” to quickly recall that DMS moves the rows in real time and SCT prepares the structure, making them the essential duo for a live migration with minimal disruption.
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 a 500 GB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. The migration must minimize downtime and support ongoing replication. Which TWO AWS services should be used together?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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)
Options A and D are correct. AWS DMS can perform ongoing replication, and AWS SCT can convert the schema and assess any incompatibilities. Option B is wrong because Snowball is for offline transfer, not minimal downtime. Option C is wrong because RDS does not support native SQL Server replication as a target. Option E is wrong because Lambda is not needed for migration.
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.
✗
AWS Lambda
Why it's wrong here
Lambda is for serverless compute, not needed for this migration.
✗
AWS Snowball Edge
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is for offline bulk transfer, not minimal downtime.
✗
AWS RDS SQL Server native backup and restore
Why it's wrong here
Native backup/restore is one-time, not ongoing replication.
✓
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why this is correct
DMS supports ongoing replication with change data capture.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
Why this is correct
SCT helps convert schema and assess migration complexity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
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 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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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.
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: AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) — Options A and D are correct. AWS DMS can perform ongoing replication, and AWS SCT can convert the schema and assess any incompatibilities. Option B is wrong because Snowball is for offline transfer, not minimal downtime. Option C is wrong because RDS does not support native SQL Server replication as a target. Option E is wrong because Lambda is not needed for migration.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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