The answer is to use AWS SCT to validate and convert the schema before migration and to set up AWS DMS with ongoing replication. These two actions work together to minimize downtime because SCT ensures the target Oracle RDS schema is compatible and optimized ahead of time, eliminating last-minute conversion errors, while DMS’s ongoing replication captures and applies continuous changes from the source database during the cutover, allowing you to switch traffic in seconds rather than hours. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the “minimize downtime” requirement by distinguishing between pre-migration preparation and real-time data synchronization; a common trap is choosing a single-AZ deployment or disabling archiving, but archiving is essential for Change Data Capture (CDC) to keep replication running. Remember the memory tip: “SCT for structure, DMS for data flow”—validate first, then replicate live to keep downtime low.
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 an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. They need to minimize downtime. Which TWO actions should they take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set up AWS DMS with change data capture (CDC) from the source
Options A and C are correct. Setting up AWS DMS with ongoing replication allows minimal downtime, and validating the schema with SCT before migration is a best practice. Option B is wrong because disabling archiving would prevent CDC. Option D is wrong because increasing storage does not affect downtime. Option E is wrong because a single-AZ deployment does not inherently reduce downtime.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Set up AWS DMS with change data capture (CDC) from the source
Why this is correct
CDC enables near-zero downtime migration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Increase the allocated storage on the target RDS instance to improve performance
Why it's wrong here
Storage size does not affect downtime.
✓
Use AWS SCT to validate and convert the schema before migration
Why this is correct
Schema validation reduces compatibility issues during migration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Deploy the target RDS instance as a Single-AZ to simplify replication
Why it's wrong here
Single-AZ does not reduce downtime; Multi-AZ is recommended for production.
✗
Disable Oracle archivelog mode to speed up data transfer
Why it's wrong here
Archiving is required for CDC; disabling it would prevent ongoing replication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up AWS DMS with change data capture (CDC) from the source — Options A and C are correct. Setting up AWS DMS with ongoing replication allows minimal downtime, and validating the schema with SCT before migration is a best practice. Option B is wrong because disabling archiving would prevent CDC. Option D is wrong because increasing storage does not affect downtime. Option E is wrong because a single-AZ deployment does not inherently reduce downtime.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is migrating a 500 GB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. They need to minimize downtime and support ongoing changes during migration. Which approach should they take?
medium
A.Use native SQL Server backup and restore to RDS
B.Set up a Direct Connect connection and use log shipping
C.Use SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) to replicate data
✓ D.Use AWS DMS with full load and change data capture (CDC)
Why D: AWS DMS with full load and change data capture (CDC) is the correct approach because it allows the initial 500 GB data load to be migrated while continuously replicating ongoing changes from the source SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. This minimizes downtime by enabling a cutover only after the target is fully synchronized, and it supports ongoing changes during migration without requiring the source database to be taken offline.
Variation 2. A company is migrating a 500 GB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. They need to minimize downtime. Which TWO actions should they take? (Choose two.)
medium
A.Store database backup files in Amazon S3
B.Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool to convert the schema
✓ C.Use AWS DMS with ongoing change data capture (CDC)
D.Set up AWS Direct Connect for the migration
✓ E.After migration, enable Multi-AZ for high availability
Why C: Option A (DMS with CDC) and Option B (Migrate to Multi-AZ after migration) are correct. Option C (S3) is not needed. Option D (Direct Connect) improves bandwidth but not necessary for minimal downtime. Option E (SCT) is for schema conversion, not needed if schema is compatible.
Variation 3. A company is migrating a 1 TB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. They need to minimize downtime and support ongoing replication. Which combination of AWS services should they use?
medium
✓ A.AWS SCT and AWS DMS
B.AWS S3 and AWS Glue
C.AWS DMS alone
D.Native SQL Server backup and restore to RDS
Why A: Option C is correct because AWS DMS supports ongoing replication and SCT helps convert the schema. Option A is wrong because native backup/restore does not support ongoing replication. Option B is wrong because S3 is not directly involved in database replication. Option D is wrong because DMS alone does not handle schema conversion.
Variation 4. A company is migrating a 200 GB Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. Which TWO steps should be taken to ensure a successful migration? (Choose two.)
medium
A.Enable TDE encryption on the source database before migration.
B.Use AWS DMS only for heterogeneous migrations; use Oracle Data Pump instead.
✓ C.Use AWS DMS with full load and ongoing replication.
D.Export the database using expdp and import using impdp.
✓ E.Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to assess and convert the schema.
Why C: Options B and D are correct. Using AWS SCT helps convert the schema and identify potential issues. Using AWS DMS with ongoing replication minimizes downtime. Option A is wrong because Oracle to RDS for Oracle is homogeneous; DMS supports it. Option C is wrong because manual export/import is error-prone and causes downtime. Option E is wrong because encrypting the source database adds complexity and may not be necessary.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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