SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
A company is migrating a legacy application that uses Windows Authentication for SQL Server. The company wants to use AWS Managed Microsoft AD. Which migration strategy should be used for the database to maintain compatibility?
⚠ Common exam trap
SAP-C02 often tests the misconception that any managed database service can replace SQL Server, ignoring that Windows Authentication requires Active Directory integration only available with RDS for SQL Server joined to AWS Managed Microsoft AD.
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
✓
Replatform to Amazon RDS for SQL Server with Windows Authentication
AWS Managed Microsoft AD is a managed Active Directory service that supports Windows Authentication (Kerberos/NTLM) natively. Amazon RDS for SQL Server can be domain-joined to AWS Managed Microsoft AD, allowing the database to continue using Windows Authentication without code changes. This preserves the legacy application's authentication model during migration.
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 to migrate to Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is a NoSQL key-value store with no Windows Authentication or SQL Server login model, so the legacy app's integrated security cannot survive. It is tempting for removing database administration, but DMS to DynamoDB suits greenfield NoSQL workloads, not authentication-compatible migrations.
- ✗
Replatform to Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
MySQL does not support Windows Authentication or Kerberos; RDS for MySQL authenticates with native database credentials, so AWS Managed Microsoft AD domain identities cannot be used. Replatforming to MySQL suits modernising away from Windows-integrated authentication, but the stem requires retaining SQL Server compatibility with AD-based logins.
- ✓
Replatform to Amazon RDS for SQL Server with Windows Authentication
Why this is correct
Amazon RDS for SQL Server joined to AWS Managed Microsoft AD supports Windows Authentication, so the legacy application's existing authentication mechanism continues to work without code changes. Replatforming preserves compatibility while removing database administration overhead.
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Replatform to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL
Why it's wrong here
Aurora PostgreSQL uses its own database users and IAM authentication, not Windows Authentication via AWS Managed Microsoft AD. Replatforming is tempting to cut licence costs, but Aurora PostgreSQL is correct when the application has no dependency on Active Directory integrated logins.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Amazon Web Services exam blueprint
This SAP-C02 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 SAP-C02 exam.