- A
Create an Aurora Replica of the on-premises database using cross-Region replication.
Why wrong: Aurora Replicas can only be created from an existing Aurora instance, not from on-premises databases.
- B
Use pg_dump and pg_restore to export and import the database during a maintenance window.
Why wrong: This method requires downtime and cannot achieve near-zero downtime.
- C
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication to an Aurora DB cluster. Configure the source endpoint with the appropriate connection settings.
DMS supports ongoing replication, and the source endpoint can be configured to connect to the on-premises database.
- D
Use AWS SCT to convert the schema and then perform a full data load using AWS DMS.
Why wrong: While SCT can convert schema, it does not provide the ongoing replication needed for near-zero downtime; DMS alone can handle both schema and data migration.
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 planning to migrate a 3 TB PostgreSQL database from an on-premises data center to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The migration must have near-zero downtime. The on-premises database is using a custom pg_hba.conf that restricts access to specific IP ranges. Which combination of steps will meet the requirements?
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 DMS with ongoing replication to an Aurora DB cluster. Configure the source endpoint with the appropriate connection settings.
AWS DMS with ongoing replication (CDC) enables near-zero downtime migration by continuously synchronizing changes from the source PostgreSQL database to the target Aurora PostgreSQL cluster after an initial full load. Configuring the source endpoint with the correct connection settings, including the custom pg_hba.conf IP ranges, allows DMS to connect securely. This approach meets the requirement for minimal downtime, unlike batch export/import methods.
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.
- ✗
Create an Aurora Replica of the on-premises database using cross-Region replication.
Why it's wrong here
Aurora Replicas can only be created from an existing Aurora instance, not from on-premises databases.
- ✗
Use pg_dump and pg_restore to export and import the database during a maintenance window.
Why it's wrong here
This method requires downtime and cannot achieve near-zero downtime.
- ✓
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication to an Aurora DB cluster. Configure the source endpoint with the appropriate connection settings.
Why this is correct
DMS supports ongoing replication, and the source endpoint can be configured to connect to the on-premises database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS SCT to convert the schema and then perform a full data load using AWS DMS.
Why it's wrong here
While SCT can convert schema, it does not provide the ongoing replication needed for near-zero downtime; DMS alone can handle both schema and data migration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse AWS DMS with schema conversion tools (SCT) or assume that Aurora Replicas can be used for external replication, when in fact DMS with CDC is the correct service for heterogeneous or homogeneous migrations with minimal downtime.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses change data capture (CDC) by reading the PostgreSQL write-ahead log (WAL) via logical replication slots, which requires the source database to have `rds.logical_replication` enabled (or equivalent on-premises settings) and appropriate WAL level. The custom pg_hba.conf must allow the DMS replication instance's IP address to connect, typically by adding a host entry for the DMS subnet. During the full load phase, DMS creates tables and loads data in parallel, then switches to CDC to apply ongoing changes, enabling a cutover with seconds of downtime.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication to an Aurora DB cluster. Configure the source endpoint with the appropriate connection settings. — AWS DMS with ongoing replication (CDC) enables near-zero downtime migration by continuously synchronizing changes from the source PostgreSQL database to the target Aurora PostgreSQL cluster after an initial full load. Configuring the source endpoint with the correct connection settings, including the custom pg_hba.conf IP ranges, allows DMS to connect securely. This approach meets the requirement for minimal downtime, unlike batch export/import methods.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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