Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Snowball Edge, the correct choice for migrating a 1 TB on-premises PostgreSQL database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL over a slow internet connection. This service enables offline data transfer by physically shipping a ruggedized storage device to your site, allowing you to load the database locally and ship it to AWS, completely bypassing bandwidth constraints. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid migration strategies, where slow internet makes online tools like AWS DMS or Direct Connect impractical—common traps include selecting DMS for its database-native feel or Direct Connect for its dedicated link, both of which still require stable, high-bandwidth connectivity. Remember the key distinction: Snowball is for offline, bulk data movement when the network is the bottleneck. Memory tip: think “Snowball for slow ball”—when your internet drags, ship the data in a box.
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 wants to migrate a 1 TB on-premises PostgreSQL database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. They have a limited internet bandwidth. Which service should they use to accelerate the migration?
AWS Snowball Edge
Offline data transfer bypasses bandwidth limitations.
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why wrong: Requires sufficient bandwidth.
Amazon S3
Why wrong: Not for direct database migration.
AWS Direct Connect
Why wrong: Still requires bandwidth, though dedicated.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Snowball Edge
AWS Snowball Edge can be used for offline data transfer to accelerate migration over slow internet. Option A is correct. Option B (DMS) requires bandwidth. Option C (Direct Connect) is a dedicated connection but still requires bandwidth. Option D (S3) is not for database transfer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Snowball Edge
Why this is correct
Offline data transfer bypasses bandwidth limitations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why it's wrong here
Requires sufficient bandwidth.
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
Not for direct database migration.
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Still requires bandwidth, though dedicated.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Snowball Edge — AWS Snowball Edge can be used for offline data transfer to accelerate migration over slow internet. Option A is correct. Option B (DMS) requires bandwidth. Option C (Direct Connect) is a dedicated connection but still requires bandwidth. Option D (S3) is not for database transfer.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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