SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
A company is migrating its on-premises file server to AWS. The file server contains 5 TB of data and is accessed by hundreds of users. The company wants a fully managed file storage solution that supports SMB protocol. Which AWS service should the architect consider?
⚠ Common exam trap
SAP-C02 often tests the distinction between SMB and NFS support across AWS storage services, causing candidates to select EFS (NFS) or S3 (object) for a Windows SMB requirement.
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
✓
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a fully managed file storage service that supports the SMB protocol and is designed for Windows workloads. It integrates with Active Directory and provides features like DFS, shadow copies, and Windows ACLs, making it the correct choice for migrating an on-premises Windows file server.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Why this is correct
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server natively supports the SMB protocol and is fully managed, satisfying both constraints in the stem. It integrates with Microsoft Entra ID for access control and provides Windows ACLs, making it the appropriate fit for migrating a 5 TB on-premises file server accessed by hundreds of users.
- ✗
Amazon FSx for Lustre
Why it's wrong here
FSx for Lustre is a high-performance parallel file system for HPC and machine learning, speaking POSIX rather than SMB. It suits compute-intensive scratch workloads needing sub-millisecond throughput. Hundreds of general users needing an SMB share are served by FSx for Windows File Server instead.
- ✗
AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Storage Gateway File Gateway presents SMB shares but caches to on-premises hardware, so it is a hybrid bridge rather than a fully managed AWS file service. It suits gradual migration while keeping local access. The stem asks for a fully managed SMB file system, which FSx for Windows File Server delivers.
- ✗
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
Amazon S3 is object storage accessed via REST APIs, not a mounted SMB file share, so existing file-server clients cannot connect natively. It suits static content, backups and data-lake workloads. The scenario requires a managed SMB file system, which FSx for Windows File Server provides.
- ✗
Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS)
Why it's wrong here
Amazon EFS implements NFSv4, not SMB, so Windows clients cannot mount it without extra translation layers. It suits Linux workloads needing elastic shared POSIX storage. The scenario's SMB requirement is met by FSx for Windows File Server, which provides native SMB and Active Directory integration.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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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
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.