The answer is creating an Aurora read replica from the RDS for MySQL instance using binlog replication. This approach is most efficient because it leverages MySQL’s native binlog to synchronize the Aurora cluster with the source database in near real-time, allowing you to load 5 TB of InnoDB data without the overhead of exports or snapshots. Once the replica lag reaches zero, you promote the Aurora cluster to primary, achieving minimal downtime. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of replication-based migration strategies for large datasets, where the common trap is choosing a snapshot or DMS approach that incurs longer downtime or requires manual resynchronization. Remember the key principle: binlog replication turns Aurora into a live replica, not a one-time copy. For a memory tip, think “Replicate, then promote” — binlog keeps the data flowing until you’re ready to flip the switch.
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 team is deploying a new Amazon Aurora MySQL database and needs to load 5 TB of data from an existing Amazon RDS for MySQL database with minimal downtime. The data is stored in InnoDB tables. Which approach is MOST efficient?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an Aurora read replica from the RDS for MySQL instance using binlog replication
Option D is correct because creating an Aurora read replica from an RDS for MySQL instance using binlog replication allows the Aurora cluster to synchronize with the source database in near real-time. Once the replica lag reaches zero, you can promote the Aurora cluster to become the primary database, achieving minimal downtime. This approach leverages the native MySQL binlog replication, which is efficient for large datasets like 5 TB and avoids the overhead of exporting or snapshotting the entire database.
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.
✗
Take a snapshot of the RDS for MySQL instance and restore to Aurora
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots are not directly restorable across different DB engines.
✗
Use AWS DMS with full load and ongoing replication
Why it's wrong here
While possible, DMS involves extra overhead and may not be as optimal as native replication.
✗
Use mysqldump to export the database and import into Aurora
Why it's wrong here
mysqldump is slow for large datasets and may cause prolonged downtime.
✓
Create an Aurora read replica from the RDS for MySQL instance using binlog replication
Why this is correct
This method minimizes downtime by replicating data continuously.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume AWS DMS is the best tool for all migrations, but for homogeneous MySQL-to-Aurora migrations with large datasets and minimal downtime, native binlog replication is more efficient because it avoids the overhead of DMS's change data capture (CDC) and schema conversion layers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Binlog replication between RDS for MySQL and Aurora MySQL uses the MySQL binary log (binlog) to stream changes in real time. Aurora MySQL supports replication from an external MySQL instance by configuring the source RDS instance to retain binlogs and setting up the Aurora cluster as a replica. Once the replica lag reaches zero, you can promote the Aurora cluster, which involves stopping replication and making the Aurora cluster writable. This method is efficient because it avoids the need to re-export or re-import the entire dataset, and the initial data synchronization is handled by Aurora's parallel, multi-threaded replication engine, which can handle large volumes quickly.
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: Create an Aurora read replica from the RDS for MySQL instance using binlog replication — Option D is correct because creating an Aurora read replica from an RDS for MySQL instance using binlog replication allows the Aurora cluster to synchronize with the source database in near real-time. Once the replica lag reaches zero, you can promote the Aurora cluster to become the primary database, achieving minimal downtime. This approach leverages the native MySQL binlog replication, which is efficient for large datasets like 5 TB and avoids the overhead of exporting or snapshotting the entire database.
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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