- A
Use AWS DMS to replicate data directly over the internet
Why wrong: Direct replication over internet for 10 TB can be costly and slow.
- B
Use Amazon Kinesis Data Streams to stream data to Redshift
Why wrong: Kinesis is for real-time streaming, not bulk migration.
- C
Use Amazon Redshift Spectrum to query data in S3 after loading
Why wrong: Spectrum is for querying external data, not for migration.
- D
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the Oracle schema to Redshift
SCT helps convert and optimize schema for Redshift.
- E
Use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transfer the data
Snowball Edge reduces network transfer costs for large datasets.
Question 717 of 1,730
Minimizing Data Transfer Cost for Oracle to Redshift Migration
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 a 10 TB Oracle data warehouse to Amazon Redshift. The migration must minimize data transfer costs and ensure data integrity. Which TWO steps should the company 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 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 Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the Oracle schema to Redshift
Option D is correct because the AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is specifically designed to convert Oracle database schemas to Amazon Redshift-compatible schemas, handling data type mappings, stored procedures, and other schema objects. This step is critical for a successful migration as it ensures the target schema is optimized for Redshift's columnar storage and MPP architecture, reducing manual rework and potential data integrity issues.
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.
- ✗
Use AWS DMS to replicate data directly over the internet
Why it's wrong here
Direct replication over internet for 10 TB can be costly and slow.
- ✗
Use Amazon Kinesis Data Streams to stream data to Redshift
Why it's wrong here
Kinesis is for real-time streaming, not bulk migration.
- ✗
Use Amazon Redshift Spectrum to query data in S3 after loading
Why it's wrong here
Spectrum is for querying external data, not for migration.
- ✓
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the Oracle schema to Redshift
Why this is correct
SCT helps convert and optimize schema for Redshift.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transfer the data
Why this is correct
Snowball Edge reduces network transfer costs for large datasets.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
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 may assume AWS DMS is always the best choice for database migrations, but for very large datasets (e.g., 10 TB) where cost minimization is a key requirement, physical transfer via Snowball Edge is more cost-effective and reliable than network-based replication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Snowball Edge (Option E) is a petabyte-scale data transport solution that uses physical storage devices to transfer large datasets over secure shipping, completely bypassing network egress costs and providing built-in encryption (AES-256) and integrity verification via SHA-256 checksums. For a 10 TB migration, Snowball Edge can reduce transfer time from days (over a 1 Gbps link) to a few days including shipping, while AWS SCT automates the conversion of Oracle-specific constructs like partitioned tables, indexes, and sequences to Redshift equivalents, ensuring the target schema is optimized for Redshift's distribution keys and sort keys.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the Oracle schema to Redshift — Option D is correct because the AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is specifically designed to convert Oracle database schemas to Amazon Redshift-compatible schemas, handling data type mappings, stored procedures, and other schema objects. This step is critical for a successful migration as it ensures the target schema is optimized for Redshift's columnar storage and MPP architecture, reducing manual rework and potential data integrity issues.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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