The correct answer is to replatform the database to Amazon RDS for an open-source engine like PostgreSQL. This strategy directly addresses the goal to reduce database licensing costs by replacing the commercial database with a fully managed, open-source alternative, eliminating the need for expensive per-core or per-server licenses. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between the seven migration strategies (the 7 Rs), specifically understanding that replatforming involves minimal code changes while swapping out the underlying database engine to cut costs. A common trap is choosing rehosting (lift-and-shift), which would keep the commercial license intact on EC2, or refactoring, which implies heavy rework. Remember the memory tip: “Replatform to open source to drop the license source.”
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 multi-tier web application to AWS. The application uses a commercial database that requires a license. The company wants to reduce licensing costs. Which migration strategy should be considered?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Replatform the database to Amazon RDS for an open-source engine like PostgreSQL
Option C is correct because replatforming to Amazon RDS for an open-source engine eliminates commercial license costs. Option A is wrong because rehosting to EC2 still requires the same license. Option B is wrong because refactoring to use a different database may involve significant rework. Option D is wrong because repurchasing to SaaS may not be suitable.
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.
✗
Rehost the database to EC2 with the same database software
Why it's wrong here
Still requires commercial license.
✓
Replatform the database to Amazon RDS for an open-source engine like PostgreSQL
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Repurchase a Software as a Service (SaaS) alternative
Why it's wrong here
Switching to a different product, not migrating existing database.
✗
Refactor the application to use Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
Significant rework required; may not be feasible.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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: Replatform the database to Amazon RDS for an open-source engine like PostgreSQL — Option C is correct because replatforming to Amazon RDS for an open-source engine eliminates commercial license costs. Option A is wrong because rehosting to EC2 still requires the same license. Option B is wrong because refactoring to use a different database may involve significant rework. Option D is wrong because repurchasing to SaaS may not be suitable.
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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