The answer is to copy data from local storage to Amazon EFS using AWS DataSync during a maintenance window. This approach directly supports the migration of a stateful application to a stateless architecture by decoupling persistent data from the compute layer, allowing EC2 instances to be treated as ephemeral resources. DataSync efficiently handles the initial bulk transfer and incremental changes, ensuring data consistency before the application is reconfigured to mount the EFS file system. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of stateless design patterns and the trade-offs between shared storage options like EFS versus block storage. A common trap is choosing EBS snapshots, which keep the application tied to specific volumes and fail to achieve true statelessness, or overcomplicating the solution with S3 and FSx for Lustre. Memory tip: think “DataSync decouples data from the instance” to remember that the goal is to separate state from compute.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 stateful application that uses local storage on EC2. They want to modernize to a stateless architecture using Amazon EFS for shared storage. What is the best approach to migrate the existing data?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Copy data from local storage to EFS using AWS DataSync during a maintenance window
The recommended approach is to copy data from local storage to EFS using AWS DataSync or rsync during a maintenance window, then reconfigure the application to use EFS. Option A (attach the local volume to the new instance) is not stateless. Option B (use S3 with Fsx) is overcomplicated. Option D (use EBS snapshots) retains statefulness.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 Fsx for Lustre with S3 as data repository
Why it's wrong here
This is for HPC workloads, not general migration.
✓
Copy data from local storage to EFS using AWS DataSync during a maintenance window
Why this is correct
DataSync efficiently copies data to EFS, enabling a stateless architecture.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Detach the EBS volume and attach it to the new EC2 instance
Why it's wrong here
This keeps the state bound to a specific volume, not stateless.
✗
Create an EBS snapshot and restore it on the new instance
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots are for backup, not for enabling stateless architecture.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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 — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Copy data from local storage to EFS using AWS DataSync during a maintenance window — The recommended approach is to copy data from local storage to EFS using AWS DataSync or rsync during a maintenance window, then reconfigure the application to use EFS. Option A (attach the local volume to the new instance) is not stateless. Option B (use S3 with Fsx) is overcomplicated. Option D (use EBS snapshots) retains statefulness.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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