The answer is to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication. This approach is correct because DMS performs an initial full load of the 2 TB database while the source remains live, then establishes continuous change data capture (CDC) to replicate ongoing transactions, allowing you to cut over to the RDS instance in under 30 minutes. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of minimizing downtime during heterogeneous or homogeneous migrations, often appearing as a trap where candidates choose native dump/restore or S3 export—both of which require the source to be offline for hours. The key distinction is that DMS’s ongoing replication keeps the source and target synchronized until you’re ready for a brief switch. Memory tip: think “DMS = Data Must Sync” to remember it handles both full load and continuous replication for near-zero downtime.
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 legacy database to Amazon RDS. The database currently runs on a single server with a 2 TB volume. The migration must have less than 30 minutes of downtime. Which approach should be used for the initial data load?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication
Option A is correct because AWS DMS can perform a full load and then ongoing replication to minimize downtime. Option B is wrong because exporting to S3 and importing takes longer and doesn't support continuous replication. Option C is wrong because creating a read replica requires a compatible source. Option D is wrong because a native dump/restore requires significant downtime for a 2 TB database.
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.
✗
Use a native database dump and restore during a maintenance window
Why it's wrong here
Dump/restore for 2 TB will likely exceed 30 minutes.
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication
Why this is correct
DMS does a full load and then replicates changes to keep downtime minimal.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Export the database to Amazon S3 and import into RDS using native tools
Why it's wrong here
Export/import can be slow and doesn't provide ongoing replication.
✗
Create a read replica from the source database to RDS
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas require MySQL or MariaDB binary log replication; not all databases support it.
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 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.
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 AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication — Option A is correct because AWS DMS can perform a full load and then ongoing replication to minimize downtime. Option B is wrong because exporting to S3 and importing takes longer and doesn't support continuous replication. Option C is wrong because creating a read replica requires a compatible source. Option D is wrong because a native dump/restore requires significant downtime for a 2 TB database.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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