SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
A company is migrating a critical application to AWS and needs to ensure that the migration has minimal downtime. The application uses a SQL Server database. The company wants to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for the migration. What should the company do to minimize downtime during the database migration?
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 DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) to keep the target database synchronized, then perform a brief cutover.
Using change data capture (CDC) with AWS DMS enables ongoing replication of changes from the source SQL Server database to the target. This keeps the target nearly synchronized, so during cutover only a brief pause is needed to apply any final changes, minimizing downtime. Option A is incorrect because enabling validation does not reduce downtime; it only verifies data integrity after migration, and truncating the target before cutover would remove all data, causing potential data loss and additional downtime. Option C is incorrect because a full load only captures a snapshot of the database at a point in time; any changes after that require a separate sync, leading to longer downtime. Option D is incorrect because manually copying remaining data after a full load migration defeats the purpose of using DMS and introduces significant downtime and risk of inconsistency.
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 DMS with validation enabled and then truncate the target before cutover.
Why it's wrong here
Truncating the target after validation discards the replicated rows, so cutover requires a fresh full load and the resulting outage. Validation only confirms data consistency. It is tempting because validation catches mismatches, but the correct approach is ongoing change data capture replication, keeping the target current until cutover.
- ✓
Use DMS with ongoing replication (change data capture) to keep the target database synchronized, then perform a brief cutover.
Why this is correct
DMS change data capture continuously replicates ongoing changes from SQL Server to the target after the initial full load, keeping both synchronised. The cutover then needs only a brief application pause, satisfying the minimal-downtime requirement.
- ✗
Use DMS with full load only and schedule the migration during a maintenance window.
Why it's wrong here
A full load alone copies data once, so any writes made during the load are missed and the application must be stopped for the whole migration. It is tempting because a maintenance window bounds the disruption, but the correct approach is full load plus change data capture, replicating ongoing changes so downtime is only the final cutover.
- ✗
Perform a full load migration using DMS and then manually copy any remaining data.
Why it's wrong here
Manually copying remaining data leaves the target inconsistent and requires the source frozen while copying, extending downtime. It is tempting because a full load is straightforward, but DMS supports change data capture; continuous replication of ongoing changes keeps the target synchronised so cutover is brief.
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