- A
Use native SQL Server backup and restore to Amazon S3, then restore to RDS.
Why wrong: Backup/restore requires downtime and does not support ongoing replication.
- B
Export the database to CSV files, upload to S3, and use the COPY command in RDS.
Why wrong: Export/import approach requires significant downtime and is not efficient for large databases.
- C
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema, then use AWS DMS for full load.
Why wrong: SCT is for schema conversion; DMS full load alone does not provide minimal downtime without ongoing replication.
- D
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the on-premises database to RDS until cutover.
DMS ongoing replication enables minimal downtime by keeping the target current.
Question 636 of 1,730
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 needs to migrate a 10 TB SQL Server database from on-premises to Amazon RDS for SQL Server with minimal downtime. The database is heavily used with frequent write operations. Which migration strategy should be used?
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 from the on-premises database to RDS until cutover.
Option D is correct because AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) allows a full load of the 10 TB database followed by continuous replication of write operations from the on-premises SQL Server to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. This minimizes downtime by keeping the target database synchronized until the cutover window, where only a brief pause is needed to apply final changes and switch traffic.
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.
- ✗
Use native SQL Server backup and restore to Amazon S3, then restore to RDS.
Why it's wrong here
Backup/restore requires downtime and does not support ongoing replication.
- ✗
Export the database to CSV files, upload to S3, and use the COPY command in RDS.
Why it's wrong here
Export/import approach requires significant downtime and is not efficient for large databases.
- ✗
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema, then use AWS DMS for full load.
Why it's wrong here
SCT is for schema conversion; DMS full load alone does not provide minimal downtime without ongoing replication.
- ✓
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the on-premises database to RDS until cutover.
Why this is correct
DMS ongoing replication enables minimal downtime by keeping the target current.
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 assume native backup/restore (Option A) is the simplest approach for large databases, but they overlook the requirement for minimal downtime and the fact that DMS with CDC is specifically designed for near-zero downtime migrations with ongoing writes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses native SQL Server transaction log-based CDC (change data capture) to capture insert, update, and delete operations in near real-time without impacting source performance. For a 10 TB database, DMS performs a parallel full load across multiple tables, then transitions to CDC, allowing the target to stay within seconds of the source. The cutover involves stopping writes to the source, applying any remaining CDC changes, and redirecting applications to RDS, achieving sub-minute downtime.
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: Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the on-premises database to RDS until cutover. — Option D is correct because AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) allows a full load of the 10 TB database followed by continuous replication of write operations from the on-premises SQL Server to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. This minimizes downtime by keeping the target database synchronized until the cutover window, where only a brief pause is needed to apply final changes and switch traffic.
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
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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