Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Database Migration Service (DMS). DMS is the correct choice because it supports homogeneous migrations, meaning it can replicate MySQL to a target MySQL database on AWS—such as RDS for MySQL or Aurora—without requiring schema or code changes, allowing you to migrate your MySQL database with minimal application modification. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of migration strategies that reduce risk by preserving existing application logic; a common trap is selecting Amazon RDS directly, which would require schema adjustments, or Snowball, which is designed for offline bulk data transfer, not live, minimal-change migrations. Remember the key distinction: DMS handles ongoing replication and schema conversion automatically for homogeneous moves, while other services disrupt the application layer. Memory tip: “DMS = Database Minimal Shift” for homogeneous migrations.
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 monolithic application to AWS. The application currently runs on a single on-premises server and uses a local MySQL database. To reduce migration risk, the company wants to minimize application code changes. Which AWS service should the company use to migrate the database with minimal application modification?
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.
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why wrong: RDS is a managed service but requires manual migration and potential schema changes.
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)
AWS DMS can migrate databases with minimal downtime and supports homogeneous migrations, reducing code changes.
AWS Snowball
Why wrong: Snowball is for offline data transfer, not live database migration.
Amazon S3
Why wrong: S3 is object storage, not a database migration tool.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)
Option A is correct because AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) supports homogeneous migrations with minimal changes. Option B is wrong because RDS requires schema changes. Option C is wrong because S3 is for object storage. Option D is wrong because Snowball is for large data transfers, not live migrations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
RDS is a managed service but requires manual migration and potential schema changes.
AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)
Why this is correct
AWS DMS can migrate databases with minimal downtime and supports homogeneous migrations, reducing code changes.
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.
AWS Snowball
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is for offline data transfer, not live database migration.
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage, not a database migration tool.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) — Option A is correct because AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) supports homogeneous migrations with minimal changes. Option B is wrong because RDS requires schema changes. Option C is wrong because S3 is for object storage. Option D is wrong because Snowball is for large data transfers, not live migrations.
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.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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