The answer is to enable supplemental logging for all columns and ensure archive logging is active on the source Oracle database. These two steps are required because AWS DMS ongoing replication relies on Change Data Capture (CDC) to read transaction changes from the Oracle redo logs; supplemental logging ensures that all column values are captured in the log stream so DMS can reconstruct row-level changes accurately, while archive logging preserves redo logs after a log switch, preventing data loss during continuous replication. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DMS source prerequisites for Oracle-to-RDS Oracle migrations, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose binary reader or direct path load options instead. A common memory tip is to think “log everything” — both archive logs for continuity and supplemental logs for completeness — or use the mnemonic “SAC” (Supplemental, Archive, CDC) to recall the three pillars of Oracle DMS replication.
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.
Which TWO steps are required when migrating an Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle using AWS DMS with ongoing replication? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable archive logging on the source Oracle database.
Option C is correct because AWS DMS requires archive logging on the source Oracle database to capture ongoing changes for continuous replication. Archive logging ensures that redo logs are retained and available for DMS to read transaction changes after a log switch, enabling Change Data Capture (CDC) without data loss.
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.
✗
Run AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema.
Why it's wrong here
SCT is only needed if converting to a different engine.
✗
Enable minimal supplemental logging.
Why it's wrong here
DMS requires full supplemental logging for all columns.
✓
Enable archive logging on the source Oracle database.
Why this is correct
DMS needs archive logs to capture changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable supplemental logging for all columns.
Why this is correct
Full supplemental logging ensures all changes are captured.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a VPC endpoint for the DMS replication instance.
Why it's wrong here
VPC endpoints are not required; DMS can use standard networking.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse minimal supplemental logging (which is sufficient for Oracle GoldenGate) with the full supplemental logging required by AWS DMS, leading them to incorrectly select option B instead of D.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Archive logging on the source Oracle database must be enabled and the database must be in ARCHIVELOG mode to allow DMS to read archived redo logs for CDC. Additionally, supplemental logging for all columns (using `ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS`) ensures that every column value is logged in the redo stream, which DMS uses to apply precise row updates on the target without ambiguity. Without full supplemental logging, DMS may fail to capture changes for tables without a primary key or when updates affect non-key columns.
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.
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: Enable archive logging on the source Oracle database. — Option C is correct because AWS DMS requires archive logging on the source Oracle database to capture ongoing changes for continuous replication. Archive logging ensures that redo logs are retained and available for DMS to read transaction changes after a log switch, enabling Change Data Capture (CDC) without data loss.
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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