SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
A company is migrating a legacy on-premises application to AWS. The application runs on a physical server with a large local PostgreSQL database. The company wants to minimize downtime during the migration and ensure the on-premises and AWS environments remain synchronized until cutover. The application can tolerate a brief period of read-only mode during the final cutover. Which migration strategy should a solutions architect recommend?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that AWS DataSync can replicate an entire application server, when it is actually designed for file-based data transfer and cannot capture the server's operating system or installed applications.
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 AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication to migrate the database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, and use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the application server.
AWS DMS provides continuous data replication from on-premises PostgreSQL to Amazon RDS, keeping the target synchronized until cutover. AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) replicates the application server at the block level, allowing a staged cutover with minimal downtime. This combination meets the requirements for synchronization and a brief read-only period during cutover.
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 Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication to migrate the database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, and use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the application server.
Why this is correct
AWS DMS supports continuous replication from an on-premises PostgreSQL database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, keeping the target in sync until cutover. AWS MGN replicates the application server block-level, enabling a staged cutover. This combination minimizes downtime and maintains synchronization, aligning with the requirement for a brief read-only period.
- ✗
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer a database backup to Amazon S3, then restore it to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, and use AWS DataSync to replicate the application server.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Snowball Edge is suitable for bulk data transfer but does not provide ongoing replication, so the database would not stay synchronized during the migration. AWS DataSync is designed for file-based data transfer, not for replicating an entire application server. This approach would require significant downtime and does not meet the synchronization requirement.
- ✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with ongoing replication to migrate the database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, and use AWS DataSync to replicate the application server.
Why it's wrong here
While AWS DMS handles the database migration well, AWS DataSync is intended for file and object data transfer, not for block-level replication of an entire server. It cannot replicate the application server's operating system, installed software, or configuration. AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is the correct tool for server replication.
- ✗
Use native PostgreSQL logical replication to an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instance, and use AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the application server.
Why it's wrong here
Native PostgreSQL logical replication can work, but AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) is deprecated and no longer available for new migrations. AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is the recommended service for server replication. Additionally, logical replication may require more manual configuration and monitoring compared to AWS DMS, increasing operational overhead.
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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
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