The correct approach is to use AWS Glue to convert the proprietary columnar format to Apache Parquet and load it into Amazon Redshift. This works because AWS Glue can crawl and transform unsupported proprietary storage formats into open, columnar formats like Parquet or ORC, which Amazon Redshift can efficiently load via the COPY command from Amazon S3. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data migration patterns for proprietary systems, where direct COPY or AWS DMS fails because they require standard formats or live database connections. A common trap is choosing AWS DMS, but it is designed for relational databases, not proprietary file formats. Remember the memory tip: “Glue bridges the gap—proprietary to Parquet, then COPY to Redshift.”
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 large-scale data warehouse from on-premises to Amazon Redshift. The current on-premises solution uses a proprietary columnar storage format. The company needs to minimize data transformation effort. Which approach should the company take?
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 AWS Glue to convert the proprietary format to Apache Parquet and load into Amazon Redshift.
Option C is correct because AWS Glue can crawl the proprietary format and convert it to columnar formats like Parquet, which Redshift can load. Option A is wrong because COPY from S3 requires a supported format. Option B is wrong because Kinesis is for streaming. Option D is wrong because DMS is for databases and may not handle proprietary storage formats.
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 the Amazon Redshift COPY command to load data directly from the on-premises storage.
Why it's wrong here
COPY command requires data in a supported format in S3.
✓
Use AWS Glue to convert the proprietary format to Apache Parquet and load into Amazon Redshift.
Why this is correct
AWS Glue can transform data into columnar formats optimized for Redshift.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to migrate the data directly to Redshift.
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for database migrations, not for proprietary storage formats.
✗
Use Amazon Kinesis Data Firehose to stream the data to Redshift.
Why it's wrong here
Kinesis is for streaming data, not batch migration.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
COPY command requires data in a supported format in S3.
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 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.
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 Glue to convert the proprietary format to Apache Parquet and load into Amazon Redshift. — Option C is correct because AWS Glue can crawl the proprietary format and convert it to columnar formats like Parquet, which Redshift can load. Option A is wrong because COPY from S3 requires a supported format. Option B is wrong because Kinesis is for streaming. Option D is wrong because DMS is for databases and may not handle proprietary storage formats.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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