- A
AWS CloudFormation
Why wrong: CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not data migration.
- B
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: DataSync is for file-based data transfer, not databases.
- C
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT)
AWS SCT can assess and convert schema if needed, though not strictly required for homogeneous migration.
- D
AWS CloudEndure Migration
Why wrong: CloudEndure is for server migration, not database migration.
- E
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)
AWS DMS handles data migration with full load and ongoing replication.
Question 675 of 1,730
Using AWS SCT and DMS for PostgreSQL to RDS Migration
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 database is 2 TB and the migration must have minimal downtime. Which TWO AWS services should be used together to accomplish this?
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
✓
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT)
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT) is used to convert the source PostgreSQL schema and objects to be compatible with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, handling any heterogenous elements. AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) then performs the continuous data replication from the on-premises database to RDS, enabling minimal downtime by keeping the target in sync until a cutover.
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 CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not data migration.
- ✗
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync is for file-based data transfer, not databases.
- ✓
AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT)
Why this is correct
AWS SCT can assess and convert schema if needed, though not strictly required for homogeneous migration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
AWS CloudEndure Migration
Why it's wrong here
CloudEndure is for server migration, not database migration.
- ✓
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)
Why this is correct
AWS DMS handles data migration with full load and ongoing replication.
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 may confuse AWS DataSync (file-level sync) or CloudEndure (server replication) with database-specific migration tools, overlooking that only DMS provides CDC for relational databases and SCT handles schema conversion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses a replication instance to read the source PostgreSQL's write-ahead logs (WAL) via logical replication slots, capturing ongoing changes in near real-time without locking the source. AWS SCT assesses and converts database objects like stored procedures, functions, and data types that may differ between on-premises PostgreSQL and RDS PostgreSQL, even when both are PostgreSQL, due to version differences or extension availability. For a 2 TB database, a full load via DMS can take hours, but CDC ensures the target stays current, allowing a final cutover window of minutes.
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.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT) — AWS Schema Conversion Tool (AWS SCT) is used to convert the source PostgreSQL schema and objects to be compatible with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, handling any heterogenous elements. AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) then performs the continuous data replication from the on-premises database to RDS, enabling minimal downtime by keeping the target in sync until a cutover.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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