The answer is to use AWS DMS with full load followed by ongoing replication using change data capture (CDC). This approach is correct because DMS CDC enables continuous replication of changes from the source Oracle database to the target Amazon RDS for Oracle, allowing the on-premises database to remain fully operational during the initial full load and then seamlessly switch over with only seconds of downtime. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of minimizing disruption during large-scale migrations, often contrasting DMS CDC against slower options like native export/import or offline tools like Snowball, which would introduce hours of downtime for a 2 TB database over a 1 Gbps Direct Connect. A common trap is choosing AWS SCT, but that tool handles schema conversion, not data movement. Memory tip: think “DMS CDC = Continuous Data Capture” to remember it keeps the source live until the final cutover.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
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 an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database is 2 TB in size and the company has a 1 Gbps AWS Direct Connect connection. They need to minimize downtime. Which approach should the solutions architect recommend?
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
✓
Use AWS DMS with full load followed by ongoing replication using change data capture (CDC)
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with change data capture (CDC) allows continuous replication and minimal downtime. Export/import would cause downtime. AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is for schema conversion, not data migration. Snowball is for offline data transfer and would delay the process.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Export the database using Oracle Data Pump and import into RDS
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Export/import requires application downtime during the process.
✗
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the database files and then restore to RDS
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Snowball introduces delays due to shipping and manual processes.
✗
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool to convert the schema and AWS DMS for data migration without CDC
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: SCT is for schema conversion, and without CDC, downtime is longer.
✓
Use AWS DMS with full load followed by ongoing replication using change data capture (CDC)
Why this is correct
Correct: DMS with CDC minimizes downtime by replicating changes continuously.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with full load followed by ongoing replication using change data capture (CDC) — AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with change data capture (CDC) allows continuous replication and minimal downtime. Export/import would cause downtime. AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) is for schema conversion, not data migration. Snowball is for offline data transfer and would delay the process.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is planning to migrate a Microsoft SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. They want to automate the migration process and minimize manual effort. Which AWS service should they use?
easy
A.AWS CloudEndure Migration
B.AWS DataSync
✓ C.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
D.AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
Why C: AWS DMS can migrate SQL Server to RDS with minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because SCT is for schema conversion. Option B is wrong because DataSync is for file data. Option D is wrong because CloudEndure is for server migration.
Variation 2. A company is migrating an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. They need to minimize downtime and ensure data consistency. Which AWS service should they use for the migration?
medium
A.AWS DataSync
B.AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
✓ C.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
D.AWS Glue
Why C: Option C (AWS DMS) is correct because it supports heterogeneous migrations with minimal downtime using continuous replication. Option A (SCT) only provides schema conversion. Option B (DataSync) is for file-based data. Option D (Glue) is for ETL jobs.
Variation 3. A company wants to migrate its on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for MySQL with minimal downtime. Which AWS service should be used for the initial data load and ongoing replication?
easy
A.AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
B.Amazon S3
C.AWS Direct Connect
✓ D.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why D: Option B is correct because AWS DMS performs continuous replication with minimal downtime. Option A (SCT) is for schema conversion. Option C (S3) is for storage. Option D (Direct Connect) is for network connectivity.
Variation 4. A company is planning to migrate its on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database is 2 TB in size and the company has a high-speed network connection to AWS. Which AWS service should the company use to migrate the database with minimal downtime?
easy
A.Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
✓ B.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
C.AWS Snowball Edge
D.AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
Why B: Option B is correct because AWS DMS supports Oracle to RDS for Oracle migration with ongoing replication for minimal downtime. Option A is incorrect because SCT is used for schema conversion, not data migration. Option C is incorrect because Snowball Edge is for offline data transfer and not suitable for databases with minimal downtime. Option D is incorrect because S3 Transfer Acceleration is for uploading to S3, not for database migration.
Variation 5. A company is planning to migrate its on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. Which actions should the company take to minimize downtime during the migration? (Choose TWO.)
easy
A.Take a full backup of the on-premises database and restore it to RDS during a maintenance window.
B.Use AWS Direct Connect to establish a dedicated network connection for faster data transfer.
C.Increase the allocated storage on the target RDS instance to improve write performance.
✓ D.Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema and optimize for RDS.
✓ E.Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication to keep the target in sync.
Why D: Option A (use AWS DMS with ongoing replication) and Option D (use AWS SCT for schema conversion) are correct. Option B (take a full backup and restore) causes downtime. Option C (use Direct Connect for faster transfer) is helpful but not specifically for minimizing downtime. Option E (increase instance size) is not directly related.
Variation 6. A company is planning to migrate its on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle using AWS DMS. The database is 5 TB in size with continuous changes. Which TWO steps should the company take to minimize downtime during the migration?
medium
✓ A.Set up ongoing replication using change data capture (CDC) from the start.
B.Enable Multi-AZ on the target RDS instance during migration.
C.Use AWS Direct Connect to establish a dedicated network connection.
✓ D.Use a large DMS replication instance to improve throughput.
E.Perform a full load migration first, then apply CDC after the cutover window.
Why A: Option A is correct because using a large instance type for DMS improves performance. Option C is correct because setting up ongoing replication reduces downtime. Option B is wrong because the full load should be done before CDC. Option D is wrong because direct connect is not required. Option E is wrong because Multi-AZ is for high availability, not migration speed.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.