- A
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication, convert unlogged tables to logged tables, and migrate custom extensions using AWS SCT.
DMS can handle unlogged tables by replicating data as regular tables, and SCT can suggest alternatives for unsupported extensions.
- B
Use pg_dump to export the database and pg_restore to import into RDS, then set up read replicas.
Why wrong: This is an offline method and would cause significant downtime for a production database.
- C
Copy the database files to Amazon S3, then use the rdsadmin.rdsadmin_restore_from_s3 procedure to restore to RDS.
Why wrong: RDS for PostgreSQL does not support restoring from S3.
- D
Set up PostgreSQL streaming replication from the EC2 instance to an RDS read replica, then promote the replica.
Why wrong: Streaming replication requires logical replication, and unlogged tables are not replicated.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS DMS with ongoing replication, converting unlogged tables to logged tables and handling custom extensions through AWS SCT. This is correct because DMS captures ongoing changes from the source database, allowing near-zero downtime migration, while unlogged tables—which do not write to the write-ahead log—cannot be replicated via native streaming replication and must be converted to logged tables so DMS can track and apply changes. Custom PostgreSQL extensions unavailable in RDS require schema conversion via AWS SCT to map unsupported features to RDS-compatible equivalents. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DMS’s limitations with unlogged tables and the need for schema conversion tools; a common trap is assuming native replication works for unlogged tables or that pg_dump/pg_restore is acceptable despite downtime. Memory tip: “Unlogged tables need DMS conversion, not streaming replication.”
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 running a production PostgreSQL database on an EC2 instance (db.m5.xlarge) with 500 GB of gp2 EBS storage. The database is used by a customer-facing application that requires low latency. The company plans to migrate this database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL with minimal downtime. The current database has a high write load with frequent updates and deletes, and the table sizes are growing. The company also wants to enable Multi-AZ for high availability and use read replicas for reporting workloads. During migration planning, they discover that the source database has several large unlogged tables and uses custom PostgreSQL extensions that are not available in RDS. Which migration strategy should the company use to minimize downtime and meet all requirements?
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 DMS with ongoing replication, convert unlogged tables to logged tables, and migrate custom extensions using AWS SCT.
Option B is correct because AWS DMS can migrate data while converting the unlogged tables to logged tables (since DMS replicates changes) and can handle custom extensions by focusing on schema conversion. Option A is wrong because unlogged tables cannot be replicated via streaming replication. Option C is wrong because native pg_dump/pg_restore is offline and would cause downtime. Option D is wrong because S3 copy is not a supported migration method.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 with ongoing replication, convert unlogged tables to logged tables, and migrate custom extensions using AWS SCT.
Why this is correct
DMS can handle unlogged tables by replicating data as regular tables, and SCT can suggest alternatives for unsupported extensions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Use pg_dump to export the database and pg_restore to import into RDS, then set up read replicas.
Why it's wrong here
This is an offline method and would cause significant downtime for a production database.
- ✗
Copy the database files to Amazon S3, then use the rdsadmin.rdsadmin_restore_from_s3 procedure to restore to RDS.
Why it's wrong here
RDS for PostgreSQL does not support restoring from S3.
- ✗
Set up PostgreSQL streaming replication from the EC2 instance to an RDS read replica, then promote the replica.
Why it's wrong here
Streaming replication requires logical replication, and unlogged tables are not replicated.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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Deployment and Migration — study guide chapter
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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 — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication, convert unlogged tables to logged tables, and migrate custom extensions using AWS SCT. — Option B is correct because AWS DMS can migrate data while converting the unlogged tables to logged tables (since DMS replicates changes) and can handle custom extensions by focusing on schema conversion. Option A is wrong because unlogged tables cannot be replicated via streaming replication. Option C is wrong because native pg_dump/pg_restore is offline and would cause downtime. Option D is wrong because S3 copy is not a supported migration method.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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