The answer is to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication. This approach is correct because DMS performs a full load of the 500 GB database while simultaneously capturing ongoing changes from the source MySQL EC2 instance using change data capture (CDC), then continuously replicates those changes to the target Amazon RDS for MySQL. This allows the cutover to occur with only a brief pause in writes, achieving minimal downtime even under a high write workload. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of heterogeneous and homogeneous migration strategies, specifically the trade-off between downtime and data consistency. A common trap is choosing a native MySQL dump and restore, which would require significant downtime for a 500 GB database, or a one-time DMS load without CDC, which would miss ongoing writes. Remember the memory tip: "DMS with CDC: Full load first, then catch the changes continuously."
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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 running a MySQL database on an EC2 instance and wants to migrate to Amazon RDS for MySQL with minimal downtime. The database is 500 GB in size and has a high write workload. Which migration approach is most appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication.
AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) is the most appropriate approach because it allows you to migrate the 500 GB database with minimal downtime. DMS performs a full load of the existing data and then continuously replicates ongoing changes from the source MySQL EC2 instance to the target Amazon RDS for MySQL, enabling a cutover with only a brief pause in writes.
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.
✗
Export data to Amazon S3 and use AWS Glue to load into RDS.
Why it's wrong here
Not a direct migration path; Glue is for ETL.
✗
Copy the MySQL data directory to Amazon EBS and attach to RDS.
Why it's wrong here
Direct file copy not supported by RDS.
✗
Take a mysqldump from the source and import into RDS.
Why it's wrong here
mysqldump requires application downtime.
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication.
Why this is correct
DMS supports live migration with minimal downtime.
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 choose mysqldump (Option C) because it is a familiar tool, but they overlook the requirement for minimal downtime and the impact of a high write workload on the time needed to complete a consistent export.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses the MySQL binary log (binlog) to capture ongoing changes in row-based replication format, allowing near-real-time synchronization with minimal latency. For large databases, DMS can parallelize the full load by splitting tables into segments, and it automatically handles resumable loads if interruptions occur. The cutover step involves stopping writes to the source, applying any remaining replication lag, and redirecting the application to the RDS endpoint.
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 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.
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.
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication. — AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) is the most appropriate approach because it allows you to migrate the 500 GB database with minimal downtime. DMS performs a full load of the existing data and then continuously replicates ongoing changes from the source MySQL EC2 instance to the target Amazon RDS for MySQL, enabling a cutover with only a brief pause in writes.
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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