The correct answer is to rewrite the stored procedures to remove dependency on xp_cmdshell before migration. This is because Amazon RDS for SQL Server is a fully managed service where AWS controls the underlying host operating system, and xp_cmdshell is an extended stored procedure that grants direct OS command execution, which violates the shared responsibility model by bypassing that control. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the limitations of managed services versus self-managed EC2 deployments—a common trap is assuming you can simply enable xp_cmdshell in RDS, but AWS explicitly blocks it for security. To handle unsupported SQL Server features like xp_cmdshell in RDS, you must plan for alternatives such as SQL Server Agent jobs, CLR integration, or offloading tasks to AWS Lambda or EC2. Memory tip: think “RDS = Restricted OS,” so if a feature touches the host OS, it’s a rewrite, not a toggle.
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 needs to migrate a SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. The database uses stored procedures with xp_cmdshell. What should the company do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rewrite the stored procedures to remove dependency on xp_cmdshell before migration.
Amazon RDS for SQL Server does not support the xp_cmdshell extended stored procedure because it allows execution of operating system commands, which violates the managed service model where AWS controls the host OS. The correct approach is to rewrite the stored procedures to remove dependency on xp_cmdshell before migration, using alternatives such as SQL Server Agent jobs, CLR integration, or external scripting via AWS Lambda or EC2.
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.
✓
Rewrite the stored procedures to remove dependency on xp_cmdshell before migration.
Why this is correct
xp_cmdshell is not supported; procedures must be modified to use alternatives.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use RDS Custom for SQL Server to retain full control.
Why it's wrong here
RDS Custom may allow more control, but xp_cmdshell is still not supported.
✗
Enable xp_cmdshell in the RDS parameter group.
Why it's wrong here
RDS does not allow xp_cmdshell; it is blocked for security reasons.
✗
Disable xp_cmdshell in the stored procedures and migrate as-is.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling does not make the procedures work; they need to be rewritten.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume RDS Custom for SQL Server provides full OS control, but AWS still restricts xp_cmdshell and other OS-level features, making rewriting the only viable option.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, xp_cmdshell spawns a Windows command shell process, which requires sysadmin privileges and direct OS access—both of which are unavailable in Amazon RDS. A common real-world scenario is using xp_cmdshell to call external scripts for file operations or data export; these can be replaced with SQL Server Agent jobs that run on an EC2 instance, or by using the RDS SQL Server's built-in capabilities like OPENROWSET with BULK operations or external file access via S3 integration.
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.
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: Rewrite the stored procedures to remove dependency on xp_cmdshell before migration. — Amazon RDS for SQL Server does not support the xp_cmdshell extended stored procedure because it allows execution of operating system commands, which violates the managed service model where AWS controls the host OS. The correct approach is to rewrite the stored procedures to remove dependency on xp_cmdshell before migration, using alternatives such as SQL Server Agent jobs, CLR integration, or external scripting via AWS Lambda or EC2.
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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