- A
Use AWS CloudEndure to replicate the entire server.
Why wrong: CloudEndure is for server-level disaster recovery, not database migration.
- B
Copy the database files to Amazon S3 and restore to RDS.
Why wrong: RDS for SQL Server does not support restore from S3.
- C
Use SQL Server Import/Export Wizard.
Why wrong: This is an offline method and would cause downtime.
- D
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the source.
DMS can perform continuous replication to keep the target in sync.
- E
Use native backup and restore with log shipping to RDS.
Native backup/restore with transaction log shipping can minimize downtime.
Question 122 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.
Which TWO options are valid methods for migrating an on-premises SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server with minimal downtime? (Choose TWO.)
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 source.
AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) is a valid method for migrating to Amazon RDS for SQL Server with minimal downtime because it allows you to perform a full load of the database and then continuously replicate incremental changes from the source until you cut over. This keeps the target nearly in sync, reducing the downtime window to seconds or minutes.
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 AWS CloudEndure to replicate the entire server.
Why it's wrong here
CloudEndure is for server-level disaster recovery, not database migration.
- ✗
Copy the database files to Amazon S3 and restore to RDS.
Why it's wrong here
RDS for SQL Server does not support restore from S3.
- ✗
Use SQL Server Import/Export Wizard.
Why it's wrong here
This is an offline method and would cause downtime.
- ✓
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the source.
Why this is correct
DMS can perform continuous replication to keep the target in sync.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use native backup and restore with log shipping to RDS.
Why this is correct
Native backup/restore with transaction log shipping can minimize downtime.
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 confuse 'native backup and restore with log shipping' (Option E) as a valid minimal-downtime method, but while log shipping can reduce downtime, it requires manual setup of a secondary database and is not natively supported by Amazon RDS for SQL Server without using AWS DMS or other tools; however, in this question, Option E is actually correct because you can use native backup/restore to seed the RDS instance and then use log shipping (via AWS DMS or manual T-SQL) to apply transaction log backups, achieving minimal downtime.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses SQL Server's native transaction log (LSN-based) CDC to capture changes without agent installation on the source, and it handles schema conversion automatically for most objects. In real-world scenarios, you must ensure the source database is in full recovery model and that the transaction log is not truncated prematurely, or DMS will lose the change stream and require a full reload.
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.
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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 source. — AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) is a valid method for migrating to Amazon RDS for SQL Server with minimal downtime because it allows you to perform a full load of the database and then continuously replicate incremental changes from the source until you cut over. This keeps the target nearly in sync, reducing the downtime window to seconds or minutes.
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
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