The answer is AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) and AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT). DMS is the correct choice because it enables minimal-downtime migrations through ongoing change data capture (CDC) replication, allowing the on-premises PostgreSQL source to remain fully operational while continuously syncing changes to the target Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instance until a brief cutover. SCT complements DMS by automatically converting the source database schema, including any incompatible objects, to match the target PostgreSQL environment, ensuring a smooth migration. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this pairing tests your understanding of heterogeneous and homogeneous migrations with near-zero downtime, a common scenario in the "Migration" domain. A frequent trap is choosing only DMS and forgetting SCT for schema conversion, or confusing SCT with a data migration tool. Memory tip: think "SCT for schema, DMS for data" — the two services work hand-in-hand to keep your migration live and low-downtime.
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 PostgreSQL database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The migration must have minimal downtime. Which TWO AWS services should be used together to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) is the correct choice because it is specifically designed for migrating databases to AWS with minimal downtime by using ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) from the source PostgreSQL database to the target Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instance. This allows the source database to remain fully operational during the migration, and only a short cutover window is needed to switch applications to the target.
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.
✗
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync is for moving files, not databases.
✗
AWS CloudEndure Migration
Why it's wrong here
CloudEndure is for server migration, not database-specific.
✓
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)
Why this is correct
DMS provides ongoing replication for minimal downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect provides dedicated network, but is not a migration service.
✓
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT)
Why this is correct
SCT converts the schema for compatibility.
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 confuse AWS DataSync or CloudEndure Migration as viable for database migration, but neither supports the logical replication and schema conversion required for minimal-downtime PostgreSQL to RDS migration, while DMS and SCT are the only services that directly address both schema conversion and ongoing data replication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses a replication instance to connect to the source PostgreSQL database and capture changes via PostgreSQL's logical replication slots (using the pglogical extension or native logical replication), enabling continuous CDC with sub-second latency. The AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT) is used in conjunction with DMS to convert the source PostgreSQL schema to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL format, handling any incompatible objects or data types, and can also assess migration complexity. In a real-world scenario, you would use SCT to generate a schema conversion report and apply changes, then configure DMS for full load plus CDC to keep the target synchronized until cutover.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) — AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) is the correct choice because it is specifically designed for migrating databases to AWS with minimal downtime by using ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) from the source PostgreSQL database to the target Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instance. This allows the source database to remain fully operational during the migration, and only a short cutover window is needed to switch applications to the target.
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
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 an on-premises PostgreSQL database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The migration must be completed with minimal downtime. Which TWO AWS services should be used together?
easy
A.AWS Snowball
✓ B.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
C.AWS CloudEndure Migration
✓ D.AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
E.AWS Direct Connect
Why B: Options A and C are correct. AWS DMS (A) can perform the migration with ongoing replication to minimize downtime, and AWS SCT (C) can help convert the schema if needed. Option B is wrong because Snowball is for large offline data transfer, not for minimal downtime migration. Option D is wrong because Direct Connect is a network service, not a migration tool. Option E is wrong because CloudEndure is for server migration.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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This DBS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DBS-C01 exam.
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