- A
Set up MySQL replication from EC2 to RDS, then cut over
Native replication allows minimal downtime and automated failover is built into RDS Multi-AZ.
- B
Use mysqldump to export the database and import to RDS
Why wrong: This requires downtime during export and import.
- C
Take a snapshot of the EC2 instance and restore to RDS
Why wrong: EC2 snapshots are not directly restorable to RDS.
- D
Use AWS DMS with full load and CDC
Why wrong: DMS can work but native replication is simpler and equally effective.
Question 777 of 1,730
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 company uses a self-hosted MySQL database on EC2. They want to migrate to Amazon RDS for MySQL with minimal downtime and automated failover. Which migration strategy should be used?
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
✓
Set up MySQL replication from EC2 to RDS, then cut over
Option A is correct because setting up MySQL native replication from the EC2-hosted MySQL database to an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance allows for near-zero downtime migration. Once replication is established and lag is minimal, you can simply stop writes on the source, verify replication has caught up, and redirect traffic to the RDS endpoint. This approach also supports automated failover by enabling Multi-AZ on the RDS instance, which provides a synchronous standby replica in a different Availability Zone.
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.
- ✓
Set up MySQL replication from EC2 to RDS, then cut over
Why this is correct
Native replication allows minimal downtime and automated failover is built into RDS Multi-AZ.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use mysqldump to export the database and import to RDS
Why it's wrong here
This requires downtime during export and import.
- ✗
Take a snapshot of the EC2 instance and restore to RDS
Why it's wrong here
EC2 snapshots are not directly restorable to RDS.
- ✗
Use AWS DMS with full load and CDC
Why it's wrong here
DMS can work but native replication is simpler and equally effective.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume AWS DMS is the only tool for minimal-downtime migrations, but native MySQL replication is simpler, more reliable, and directly supports automated failover when combined with Multi-AZ RDS, whereas DMS adds complexity and does not itself provide failover capabilities.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MySQL native replication uses the binary log (binlog) to stream changes from the source to the replica. When setting up replication to RDS, you must configure the source to use row-based replication (binlog_format=ROW) and ensure the binary logs are retained long enough for the initial sync. A common pitfall is that RDS does not allow SUPER privileges, so you must use the mysql.rds_set_external_master procedure to configure the replication channel, and you cannot use GTID-based replication if the source uses a different GTID mode.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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: Set up MySQL replication from EC2 to RDS, then cut over — Option A is correct because setting up MySQL native replication from the EC2-hosted MySQL database to an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance allows for near-zero downtime migration. Once replication is established and lag is minimal, you can simply stop writes on the source, verify replication has caught up, and redirect traffic to the RDS endpoint. This approach also supports automated failover by enabling Multi-AZ on the RDS instance, which provides a synchronous standby replica in a different Availability Zone.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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