The correct answer is to use an Amazon EC2 instance with a Windows Server 2008 R2 BYOL AMI, as this allows the company to migrate the unsupported Windows Server 2008 R2 to AWS with minimal changes by bringing their existing license. This approach is technically sound because the Bring Your Own License (BYOL) model lets you run a legacy OS that AWS no longer supports with mainstream patches, avoiding any application refactoring or OS upgrade that could break the vendor-unsupported software. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of migration strategies for end-of-life systems, where the key trap is assuming you must upgrade to a supported OS or containerize the app—both of which violate the “minimize changes” requirement. Remember the memory tip: “BYOL for the old, no refactor for the folder,” meaning if the app is fragile and unsupported, keep the OS identical by using your own license.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. 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 has a legacy application that runs on Windows Server 2008 R2 on-premises. The application is no longer supported by the vendor, but the company still needs to run it for compliance reasons. They are migrating to AWS and want to minimize changes. What should the solutions architect recommend?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use an Amazon EC2 instance with a Windows Server 2008 R2 BYOL AMI
Using a Windows Server 2008 R2 BYOL AMI allows the company to run the legacy OS without changes. AWS does not provide mainstream support for 2008 R2, but BYOL allows it. Refactoring or replacing the application would require changes. Upgrading the OS might break the application.
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.
✗
Refactor the application to run on a supported Windows Server version
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Refactoring requires development effort and changes.
✗
Upgrade to Windows Server 2019 and use AWS License Manager
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Upgrading may break the legacy application.
✗
Replace the application with a SaaS alternative
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This is a replacement, not a migration with minimal changes.
✓
Use an Amazon EC2 instance with a Windows Server 2008 R2 BYOL AMI
Why this is correct
Correct: Allows the legacy OS to run as-is, minimizing changes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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 SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an Amazon EC2 instance with a Windows Server 2008 R2 BYOL AMI — Using a Windows Server 2008 R2 BYOL AMI allows the company to run the legacy OS without changes. AWS does not provide mainstream support for 2008 R2, but BYOL allows it. Refactoring or replacing the application would require changes. Upgrading the OS might break the application.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 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 SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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