The correct three steps are to use AWS DMS with ongoing change data capture (CDC), create an Aurora read replica to offload read traffic, and increase the instance class of the Aurora cluster to handle the migration load. This combination works because DMS with CDC enables near-zero downtime by continuously replicating changes from the source PostgreSQL database to Aurora after the initial full load, while the read replica scales read capacity without impacting the write-heavy migration process. Increasing the instance class ensures the Aurora cluster has sufficient CPU and memory to absorb the additional DMS write operations without performance degradation. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of live migration strategies versus offline tools like Snowball, which is a common distractor for large databases. A key trap is assuming you can disable autovacuum to speed things up, but that risks table bloat and is not recommended. Remember the mnemonic “DMS, Replica, Size” to recall the three pillars of a minimal-downtime PostgreSQL-to-Aurora migration.
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 is migrating a 3 TB PostgreSQL database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The migration must have minimal downtime. Which THREE steps should be taken?
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 from the source PostgreSQL database
Options A, C, and D are correct. Using DMS with CDC allows minimal downtime, Aurora supports read replicas for scaling, and adjusting instance class ensures performance. Option B is wrong because Snowball is for offline transfer. Option E is wrong because disabling autovacuum is not recommended and can lead to bloat.
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.
✗
Disable autovacuum on the Aurora cluster to improve migration performance
Why it's wrong here
Autovacuum is important for performance; disabling it can cause issues.
✓
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the source PostgreSQL database
Why this is correct
DMS with CDC enables near-zero downtime migration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the data offline
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is for large offline transfers, not for live migration with minimal downtime.
✓
Create an Aurora PostgreSQL read replica to offload read traffic during migration
Why this is correct
Read replicas can handle read traffic, reducing load on the source.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Increase the instance class of the Aurora cluster to handle the migration load
Why this is correct
Larger instance class provides more resources for migration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 DMS with ongoing replication from the source PostgreSQL database — Options A, C, and D are correct. Using DMS with CDC allows minimal downtime, Aurora supports read replicas for scaling, and adjusting instance class ensures performance. Option B is wrong because Snowball is for offline transfer. Option E is wrong because disabling autovacuum is not recommended and can lead to bloat.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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