The correct answers are AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication and native backup and restore to Amazon S3. DMS enables minimal downtime migration by performing a full load of the database and then continuously replicating ongoing changes from the on-premises SQL Server to Amazon RDS until you are ready to cut over, effectively keeping the target synchronized. Native backup and restore to S3 is also valid because you can take a full backup, upload it to S3, and restore it to RDS, though this method typically requires a brief outage for the final restore. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty exam, this question tests your understanding of migration strategies that minimize business interruption, with a common trap being to confuse ETL tools like SSIS or network services like Direct Connect as migration methods. Remember: for minimal downtime, think “DMS for live sync” and “native backup to S3 for a near-seamless final cutover.”
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 to migrate an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server with minimal downtime? (Choose 2.)
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
AWS DMS supports both full load and ongoing replication from SQL Server to RDS. Native backup/restore to S3 is also supported. Option C (ssis) is for ETL, not migration. Option D (Direct Connect) is a network service, not a migration method. Option E (Snowball) is offline.
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.
✗
Use AWS Snowball Edge
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is offline, not minimal downtime.
✗
Use SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Why it's wrong here
SSIS is for ETL, not continuous replication.
✓
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication
Why this is correct
DMS provides CDC for minimal downtime.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Use native backup and restore to Amazon S3
Why this is correct
Native backup/restore to S3 is supported for SQL Server on RDS.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect provides network connectivity, not a migration method.
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: Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication — AWS DMS supports both full load and ongoing replication from SQL Server to RDS. Native backup/restore to S3 is also supported. Option C (ssis) is for ETL, not migration. Option D (Direct Connect) is a network service, not a migration method. Option E (Snowball) is offline.
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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