- A
Use AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration to upload the database dump to S3 and then load into Aurora
Why wrong: S3 Transfer Acceleration is used to speed up uploads to S3, but the data would then need to be loaded into Aurora separately, adding complexity and time. It is not the most efficient direct migration method.
- B
Use AWS DMS with direct connect to export the Oracle database directly to Aurora
Correct. AWS DMS with Direct Connect leverages a dedicated, high-bandwidth connection to migrate the database directly to Aurora, making it the most efficient strategy for a 5 TB migration within a weekend.
- C
Use AWS DMS with change data capture over the existing network connection
Why wrong: DMS with Change Data Capture is intended for ongoing replication to keep the target synchronized after an initial load. For a one-time migration, using CDC adds unnecessary overhead and complexity.
- D
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the data and then load into Aurora
Why wrong: Snowball Edge involves physical transfer of data. Even with expedited shipping, the process takes at least 1-2 days for shipping alone, plus time to order, load, and import, making it impossible to complete within a weekend.
DBS-C01 AWS DMS (Database Migration Service) Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: aWS DMS (Database Migration Service). 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 Oracle database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The migration must be completed within a weekend. The on-premises network has a 1 Gbps connection to AWS. What is the MOST efficient migration strategy?
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 direct connect to export the Oracle database directly to Aurora
Option B is correct because with a 1 Gbps connection, the theoretical maximum transfer rate is ~450 GB/hour, so transferring 5 TB would take about 11 hours, well within a weekend. AWS DMS with Direct Connect provides a dedicated, high-bandwidth path for the migration, making it the most efficient strategy. Snowball Edge (Option D) requires ordering, loading, shipping (1-2 days), and importing, which cannot complete within a weekend. Options A and C are less efficient: S3 Transfer Acceleration adds unnecessary steps, and DMS with CDC is designed for ongoing replication, not initial load.
Key principle: AWS DMS (Database Migration Service)
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 S3 Transfer Acceleration to upload the database dump to S3 and then load into Aurora
Why it's wrong here
S3 Transfer Acceleration is used to speed up uploads to S3, but the data would then need to be loaded into Aurora separately, adding complexity and time. It is not the most efficient direct migration method.
- ✓
Use AWS DMS with direct connect to export the Oracle database directly to Aurora
Why this is correct
Correct. AWS DMS with Direct Connect leverages a dedicated, high-bandwidth connection to migrate the database directly to Aurora, making it the most efficient strategy for a 5 TB migration within a weekend.
Related concept
AWS DMS (Database Migration Service)
- ✗
Use AWS DMS with change data capture over the existing network connection
Why it's wrong here
DMS with Change Data Capture is intended for ongoing replication to keep the target synchronized after an initial load. For a one-time migration, using CDC adds unnecessary overhead and complexity.
- ✗
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the data and then load into Aurora
Why it's wrong here
Snowball Edge involves physical transfer of data. Even with expedited shipping, the process takes at least 1-2 days for shipping alone, plus time to order, load, and import, making it impossible to complete within a weekend.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that candidates assume Snowball is always faster for large data volumes, ignoring the shipping delays and the fact that a 1 Gbps link can transfer 5 TB in about 11 hours, well within a weekend. Network-based tools like DMS can be more efficient when the connection is adequate.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Snowball Edge uses a ruggedized appliance with up to 80 TB of usable storage and supports NFS or S3-compatible endpoints for data ingestion. After shipping, the appliance is connected to an AWS data center, and data is automatically loaded into an S3 bucket; from there, you can use the AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) and DMS to migrate the Oracle dump into Aurora PostgreSQL. This approach is ideal for large datasets where network transfer time is prohibitive, as it decouples data movement from network bandwidth constraints.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- AWS DMS (Database Migration Service)
- AWS Direct Connect
- Data Transfer Time Estimation
- AWS Snowball Edge
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
AWS DMS (Database Migration Service)
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review aWS DMS (Database Migration Service), then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Deployment and Migration — study guide chapter
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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 — AWS DMS (Database Migration Service).
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with direct connect to export the Oracle database directly to Aurora — Option B is correct because with a 1 Gbps connection, the theoretical maximum transfer rate is ~450 GB/hour, so transferring 5 TB would take about 11 hours, well within a weekend. AWS DMS with Direct Connect provides a dedicated, high-bandwidth path for the migration, making it the most efficient strategy. Snowball Edge (Option D) requires ordering, loading, shipping (1-2 days), and importing, which cannot complete within a weekend. Options A and C are less efficient: S3 Transfer Acceleration adds unnecessary steps, and DMS with CDC is designed for ongoing replication, not initial load.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review aWS DMS (Database Migration Service), then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
AWS DMS (Database Migration Service)
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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