The answer is to use AWS DMS with ongoing replication and cutover, as this strategy provides the lowest downtime for migrating a critical on-premises MySQL database to AWS. By configuring a full load followed by continuous change data capture (CDC), DMS keeps the target database synchronized with the source in near real-time, allowing you to perform a brief cutover window—often seconds—rather than taking the application offline for the entire migration. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of minimizing disruption for stateful workloads, often contrasting DMS ongoing replication against stop-and-copy, backup-restore, or rehost approaches, which all involve significant downtime. A common trap is choosing a simpler method like backup and restore, but the key is recognizing that ongoing replication enables a controlled, low-downtime cutover. Memory tip: think “DMS CDC = Continuous Data Cutover,” where the final switch is just a quick flip, not a long haul.
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 is migrating a critical application to AWS and needs to ensure that the migration has minimal downtime. The application runs on a single on-premises server with a local MySQL database. Which strategy provides the lowest downtime?
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 and cutover
Option C (Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication and cutover) is correct as it minimizes downtime. Option A (stop and copy) has downtime. Option B (backup and restore) has downtime. Option D (rehost) also has 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.
✗
Rehost the application using AWS Application Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
MGN replicates live workloads but still requires a cutover window, though minimal. DMS is more appropriate for database.
✗
Use AWS Backup to back up and restore to RDS
Why it's wrong here
Backup and restore introduces downtime during the restore process.
✗
Stop the application, take a snapshot, and restore on EC2
Why it's wrong here
This approach results in significant downtime.
✓
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication and cutover
Why this is correct
DMS with ongoing replication allows near-zero downtime by keeping the target in sync until cutover.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — 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 and cutover — Option C (Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication and cutover) is correct as it minimizes downtime. Option A (stop and copy) has downtime. Option B (backup and restore) has downtime. Option D (rehost) also has downtime.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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