The answer is to use AWS Snowball for the full database load, then AWS DMS for ongoing change data capture (CDC). This hybrid migration strategy is the most efficient because a 5 TB database over a 500 Mbps link would take over 22 hours for the initial load alone, leaving no buffer for errors or CDC setup within the 48-hour window. By shipping the data physically via Snowball, you bypass the bandwidth bottleneck entirely, then use DMS to replicate only incremental changes for minimal downtime. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of when to combine offline and online tools under strict time and bandwidth constraints. A common trap is choosing Direct Connect, which still relies on the same limited pipe, or assuming DMS alone can handle the full load quickly. Remember the memory tip: “Snowball for the haul, DMS for the crawl”—the heavy lifting goes offline, while the fine-grained sync stays online.
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 5 TB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. The migration must be completed within 48 hours with minimal downtime. The network bandwidth between on-premises and AWS is 500 Mbps. What is the MOST efficient migration strategy?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Snowball to transfer the full database to an RDS instance, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication
Given the bandwidth and time constraints, using AWS DMS with ongoing replication is the best approach for minimal downtime. However, the initial load may be slow. Using Snowball to transfer the full database and then using DMS for ongoing replication is more efficient, as it avoids the initial load over the network. Direct Connect doesn't solve bandwidth limitation. SCT is for schema conversion.
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.
✓
Use AWS Snowball to transfer the full database to an RDS instance, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication
Why this is correct
Snowball transfers data offline, avoiding network bandwidth limitations, then DMS handles ongoing changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Upgrade network bandwidth to 10 Gbps using AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
May not be feasible within 48 hours and adds cost.
✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication
Why it's wrong here
Initial load of 5 TB at 500 Mbps would take over 22 hours, leaving little time for ongoing replication; possible but less efficient.
✗
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT) to migrate the schema, then use bulk insert
Why it's wrong here
SCT does not handle data migration; bulk insert would require downtime.
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: Use AWS Snowball to transfer the full database to an RDS instance, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication — Given the bandwidth and time constraints, using AWS DMS with ongoing replication is the best approach for minimal downtime. However, the initial load may be slow. Using Snowball to transfer the full database and then using DMS for ongoing replication is more efficient, as it avoids the initial load over the network. Direct Connect doesn't solve bandwidth limitation. SCT is for schema conversion.
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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