The answer is to enable full supplemental logging on the source database for DMS CDC and export the TDE certificate to the target RDS instance. These two steps are necessary because AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with Change Data Capture (CDC) requires full supplemental logging on the source SQL Server to track all column changes for minimal-downtime replication, while Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) mandates that you export the certificate and private key from the on-premises server and restore them to the RDS target so the database can be decrypted and read. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of combining encryption migration with continuous replication—a common trap is assuming you can simply restore a TDE-encrypted backup to RDS without first handling the certificate, or forgetting that CDC logging must be enabled for ongoing sync. Memory tip: “TDE needs the key, CDC needs the log”—if you remember that TDE requires certificate export and CDC requires full supplemental logging, you’ll avoid the pitfalls of backup-only or schema-only approaches.
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 a 3 TB SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. The migration must have minimal downtime. The current database uses Transparent Data Encryption (TDE). Which TWO steps are necessary to complete the migration? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Export the TDE certificate and private key from the source and import them to the target RDS instance.
Options A and C are correct. TDE requires exporting the certificate to decrypt at the target. DMS CDC requires full supplemental logging. Option B is wrong because SCT is not needed. Option D is wrong because the database must be in full recovery model for CDC. Option E is wrong because using a backup over S3 is possible but does not address TDE or CDC.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Set the source database recovery model to simple to reduce log size.
Why it's wrong here
Simple recovery model breaks log shipping and CDC.
✓
Export the TDE certificate and private key from the source and import them to the target RDS instance.
Why this is correct
Required to decrypt data on target.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use native SQL Server backup and restore to S3.
Why it's wrong here
Not sufficient for TDE and minimal downtime.
✗
Use AWS SCT to convert the schema to Amazon Aurora.
Why it's wrong here
Target is RDS SQL Server, not Aurora.
✓
Enable full supplemental logging on the source database for DMS CDC.
Why this is correct
Needed for DMS to capture changes.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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
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.
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 — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Export the TDE certificate and private key from the source and import them to the target RDS instance. — Options A and C are correct. TDE requires exporting the certificate to decrypt at the target. DMS CDC requires full supplemental logging. Option B is wrong because SCT is not needed. Option D is wrong because the database must be in full recovery model for CDC. Option E is wrong because using a backup over S3 is possible but does not address TDE or CDC.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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