Quick Answer
The answer is AWS DMS and native SQL Server backup to S3 with restore to RDS. These two methods are correct because AWS Database Migration Service handles ongoing replication with minimal downtime by capturing and applying change data capture from the source, while the native backup and restore approach leverages SQL Server’s own backup format, allowing you to upload a full .bak file to S3 and then restore it directly onto an RDS for SQL Server instance. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of migration pathways that preserve schema and data integrity, often appearing as a multiple-select trap where candidates confuse S3 Transfer Acceleration or Snowball with database migration. A common pitfall is choosing Storage Gateway, which is for file storage, or Snowball, which is for bulk data transfer to S3 but not for direct database migration. Remember the mnemonic “DMS for live, Backup for lift” — DMS handles live sync, while native backup is your lift-and-shift option for SQL Server.
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 AWS services can be used to migrate an on-premises SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server?
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: DataSync is for file-based data, not database migration.
AWS DMS
DMS supports SQL Server as source and target.
Native SQL Server backup to S3 and restore to RDS
RDS for SQL Server supports restoring from .bak files in S3.
AWS Storage Gateway
Why wrong: Storage Gateway is for hybrid storage, not database migration.
AWS DynamoDB
Why wrong: DynamoDB is a NoSQL database, not a migration service.
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 DMS
Correct: A (AWS DMS) and C (native backup/restore to S3). B is for NoSQL; D is for file storage; E is for data transfer between on-premises and S3, not database migration.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync is for file-based data, not database migration.
AWS DMS
Why this is correct
DMS supports SQL Server as source and target.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Native SQL Server backup to S3 and restore to RDS
Why this is correct
RDS for SQL Server supports restoring from .bak files in S3.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
AWS Storage Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Storage Gateway is for hybrid storage, not database migration.
AWS DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is a NoSQL database, not a migration service.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Deployment and Migration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: AWS DMS — Correct: A (AWS DMS) and C (native backup/restore to S3). B is for NoSQL; D is for file storage; E is for data transfer between on-premises and S3, not database migration.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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