The required steps are ensuring the source database uses the full recovery model and enabling MS-CDC (change data capture) on the source SQL Server. AWS DMS ongoing replication relies on the full recovery model to maintain a complete transaction log, which DMS reads to capture all ongoing changes without data loss. MS-CDC is the native SQL Server mechanism that DMS leverages to track inserts, updates, and deletes, rather than using MS-Replication or an EC2 agent. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DMS’s native CDC approach versus legacy replication methods; a common trap is assuming MS-Replication is required, but DMS uses its own CDC engine. Remember the memory tip: “Full log, full capture” — full recovery model plus CDC equals complete ongoing replication.
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.
Which TWO steps are required when migrating an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server using AWS DMS with ongoing replication?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable MS-CDC (change data capture) on the source database.
Option B is correct because DMS requires full recovery model to capture all transactions. Option E is correct because DMS uses MS-CDC (change data capture) to capture ongoing changes. Option A is wrong because DMS does not require MS-Replication; it uses its own CDC mechanism. Option C is wrong because DMS uses a replication instance, not an EC2 instance agent. Option D is wrong because cross-VPC peering is not required; DMS can connect via VPN/Direct Connect.
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 a VPC peering connection between the on-premises network and the DMS VPC.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering is for VPC-to-VPC; for on-premises, use VPN or Direct Connect.
✗
Install the DMS agent on the source SQL Server instance.
Why it's wrong here
DMS uses a replication instance in AWS, not an agent on the source.
✓
Enable MS-CDC (change data capture) on the source database.
Why this is correct
DMS uses CDC to capture ongoing changes from SQL Server.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure MS-Replication on the source database.
Why it's wrong here
DMS does not use MS-Replication; it uses native CDC capabilities.
✓
Ensure the source database is using the full recovery model.
Why this is correct
Full recovery model is needed to capture all transactions for ongoing replication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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: Enable MS-CDC (change data capture) on the source database. — Option B is correct because DMS requires full recovery model to capture all transactions. Option E is correct because DMS uses MS-CDC (change data capture) to capture ongoing changes. Option A is wrong because DMS does not require MS-Replication; it uses its own CDC mechanism. Option C is wrong because DMS uses a replication instance, not an EC2 instance agent. Option D is wrong because cross-VPC peering is not required; DMS can connect via VPN/Direct Connect.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
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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