The answer is Amazon EC2 Windows instances with Amazon FSx for Windows File Server. This combination is correct because it preserves the native Windows environment and Windows authentication required by the legacy .NET application while replacing the local file system dependency with a fully managed, SMB-compatible shared file store, minimizing code changes. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to match migration requirements with services that avoid re-architecture—a common trap is choosing Amazon EFS, which lacks native Windows SMB support, or Elastic Beanstalk, which complicates Windows authentication. Remember the key constraint: if the application relies on Windows authentication and local file I/O, you need a Windows-native compute layer (EC2) paired with a Windows-native file service (FSx). A useful memory tip is “EC2 + FSx = Windows migration without the fix.”
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 .NET application to AWS. The application uses Windows authentication and has a dependency on a local file system. The company wants to minimize code changes. Which combination of services should be used?
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
✓
Amazon EC2 Windows instances with Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Option A is correct because Amazon EC2 Windows with FSx for Windows File Server provides a native Windows environment and shared file storage. Option B is wrong because Elastic Beanstalk does not support Windows authentication easily. Option C is wrong because Lightsail has limitations for complex scenarios. Option D is wrong because EFS does not support Windows SMB natively.
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.
✗
Amazon EC2 Windows instances with Amazon EFS
Why it's wrong here
EFS does not support Windows SMB protocol natively.
✗
AWS Elastic Beanstalk with Amazon EFS
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Beanstalk may not support Windows authentication easily.
✗
Amazon Lightsail with local instance storage
Why it's wrong here
Lightsail lacks advanced features for migration.
✓
Amazon EC2 Windows instances with Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Why this is correct
Provides native Windows environment and SMB file sharing with minimal changes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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: Amazon EC2 Windows instances with Amazon FSx for Windows File Server — Option A is correct because Amazon EC2 Windows with FSx for Windows File Server provides a native Windows environment and shared file storage. Option B is wrong because Elastic Beanstalk does not support Windows authentication easily. Option C is wrong because Lightsail has limitations for complex scenarios. Option D is wrong because EFS does not support Windows SMB natively.
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.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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