- A
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the source MySQL database
AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) allows continuous synchronization from the source MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL, enabling zero-downtime migration. DMS captures incremental changes from the source's binary logs and applies them to the target, keeping the database fully operational.
- B
Use mysqldump to export the database and import into Aurora
Why wrong: Using mysqldump to export the database and import into Aurora requires taking a consistent snapshot, which typically involves locking tables or making the source read-only, causing downtime. This does not meet the zero-downtime requirement.
- C
Set up MySQL replication from on-premises to Aurora using native binlog replication
Why wrong: Aurora MySQL does support native MySQL binlog replication from an external MySQL database, but this approach requires an initial seed of data from a consistent snapshot, which usually necessitates a read-only state on the source, leading to downtime. Additionally, it requires manual management of binary log positions, whereas DMS provides managed CDC and schema conversion.
- D
Export data to Amazon S3 and use Aurora's LOAD DATA FROM S3 command
Why wrong: Exporting data to Amazon S3 and using Aurora's LOAD DATA FROM S3 command involves taking a full export, which requires the source database to be in a consistent state, often leading to downtime. This does not support ongoing replication for zero-downtime migration.
Zero-Downtime Migration from MySQL to Amazon Aurora MySQL Using AWS DMS
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 is moving a self-hosted MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL. The current database uses InnoDB with full-text indexes and triggers. The migration must be done with zero downtime. Which approach meets these requirements?
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 MySQL database
AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) allows continuous synchronization from the source MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL, enabling a zero-downtime migration. DMS captures incremental changes from the source's binary logs (binlog) and applies them to the target, so the database remains fully operational during the migration. This approach also supports InnoDB tables, full-text indexes, and triggers, as DMS handles schema and data replication for these features. Option C (native MySQL binlog replication) is supported by Aurora MySQL, but it requires an initial seed of data which introduces downtime because the source database typically needs to be in a read-only state for a consistent backup. In contrast, DMS with CDC avoids any initial downtime.
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 DMS with ongoing replication from the source MySQL database
Why this is correct
AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) allows continuous synchronization from the source MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL, enabling zero-downtime migration. DMS captures incremental changes from the source's binary logs and applies them to the target, keeping the database fully operational.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use mysqldump to export the database and import into Aurora
Why it's wrong here
Using mysqldump to export the database and import into Aurora requires taking a consistent snapshot, which typically involves locking tables or making the source read-only, causing downtime. This does not meet the zero-downtime requirement.
- ✗
Set up MySQL replication from on-premises to Aurora using native binlog replication
Why it's wrong here
Aurora MySQL does support native MySQL binlog replication from an external MySQL database, but this approach requires an initial seed of data from a consistent snapshot, which usually necessitates a read-only state on the source, leading to downtime. Additionally, it requires manual management of binary log positions, whereas DMS provides managed CDC and schema conversion.
- ✗
Export data to Amazon S3 and use Aurora's LOAD DATA FROM S3 command
Why it's wrong here
Exporting data to Amazon S3 and using Aurora's LOAD DATA FROM S3 command involves taking a full export, which requires the source database to be in a consistent state, often leading to downtime. This does not support ongoing replication for zero-downtime migration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume native MySQL binlog replication (Option C) is a fully supported zero-downtime option for migrating to Aurora MySQL. While Aurora does support this feature, it requires careful configuration and does not provide the managed CDC, schema conversion, and cutover capabilities that AWS DMS offers. Additionally, native replication requires manual handling of binary log positions and can lead to replication lag issues. Therefore, DMS is the recommended approach for a zero-downtime migration, making Option C less suitable despite its apparent viability.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Exporting data to Amazon S3 and using Aurora's LOAD DATA FROM S3 command involves taking a full export, which requires the source database to be in a consistent state, often leading to downtime. This does not support ongoing replication for zero-downtime migration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses a replication instance to read the source MySQL binary logs (binlog) in row-based format, capturing insert, update, and delete operations as they occur, and applies them to Aurora MySQL using a transactional apply mechanism. For full-text indexes, DMS creates them on the target after the initial load, and triggers are replicated as part of the schema; however, DMS may require manual handling for certain trigger dependencies or custom functions. In real-world scenarios, DMS can handle terabytes of data with minimal latency, but the source binlog retention must be configured to prevent log purging before DMS reads them.
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.
Visual reference
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.
- →
Deployment and Migration — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Deployment and Migration practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DBS-C01 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Workload-Specific Database Design practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Deployment and Migration practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Management and Operations practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Database Security practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
DBS-C01 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
DBS-C01 scenario practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
DBS-C01 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DBS-C01 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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 MySQL database — AWS DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) allows continuous synchronization from the source MySQL database to Amazon Aurora MySQL, enabling a zero-downtime migration. DMS captures incremental changes from the source's binary logs (binlog) and applies them to the target, so the database remains fully operational during the migration. This approach also supports InnoDB tables, full-text indexes, and triggers, as DMS handles schema and data replication for these features. Option C (native MySQL binlog replication) is supported by Aurora MySQL, but it requires an initial seed of data which introduces downtime because the source database typically needs to be in a read-only state for a consistent backup. In contrast, DMS with CDC avoids any initial downtime.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More DBS-C01 practice questions
- A company is deploying a new application on Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The security policy requires that all data be enc…
- Match each AWS service to its primary purpose.
- A financial services company runs a production Amazon Aurora MySQL database cluster (1 writer, 2 readers) in us-east-1.…
- A company is designing a database for a global e-commerce platform that requires low-latency reads and writes from multi…
- A security auditor reviews the output of a DynamoDB table description command as shown in the exhibit. Which statement a…
- A company is migrating an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database contains sensitive data tha…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.