Quick Answer
The answer is AWS VM Import/Export, as it directly supports migrating VMware VMs using existing VM images to AWS by importing on-premises virtual machine disk formats like VMDK and VHD into Amazon EC2. This service is the correct choice because it allows you to preserve your current VM images without needing to rebuild or convert them, and it works seamlessly over a 10 Gbps Direct Connect link for high-speed data transfer. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between migration services: AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is the modern replacement for the deprecated Server Migration Service, but VM Import/Export is specifically designed for importing existing disk images rather than continuous replication. A common trap is confusing VM Import/Export with DataSync, which handles file and object storage, not virtual machine images. Memory tip: think “Import/Export = image files, MGN = live replication.”
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 its on-premises VMware virtual machines to AWS. The company wants to use the same VM images and has a 10 Gbps direct connect link. Which service should be used to automate the migration of the VMs?
AWS Migration Hub
Why wrong: Tracking and orchestration, not migration.
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: For data transfer to S3/EFS, not VMs.
AWS VM Import/Export
Directly imports VMware VMs as EC2 instances.
AWS Server Migration Service
Why wrong: Deprecated, now AWS MGN.
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 VM Import/Export
AWS VM Import/Export allows importing VM images from on-premises to EC2, supporting VMware formats. Option B is wrong because Migration Hub is a tracking tool. Option C is wrong because Server Migration Service (SMS) is deprecated; AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is the recommended replacement but VM Import/Export fits the requirement of using existing images. Option D is wrong because DataSync is for file/object storage.
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.
AWS Migration Hub
Why it's wrong here
Tracking and orchestration, not migration.
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
For data transfer to S3/EFS, not VMs.
AWS VM Import/Export
Why this is correct
Directly imports VMware VMs as EC2 instances.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Server Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
Deprecated, now AWS MGN.
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 VM Import/Export — AWS VM Import/Export allows importing VM images from on-premises to EC2, supporting VMware formats. Option B is wrong because Migration Hub is a tracking tool. Option C is wrong because Server Migration Service (SMS) is deprecated; AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is the recommended replacement but VM Import/Export fits the requirement of using existing images. Option D is wrong because DataSync is for file/object storage.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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 migrating a virtualized workload to AWS. The current environment uses VMware vSphere. The company wants to migrate the virtual machines (VMs) to AWS with minimal changes. Which AWS service should the company use?
easyWhy D: Option A is correct because VM Import/Export allows you to import VMs from on-premises to EC2. Option B is wrong because AWS Application Discovery Service is for discovery, not migration. Option C is wrong because VMware Cloud on AWS is a different offering that runs VMware SDDC on AWS, not a direct migration of existing VMs. Option D is wrong because AWS Migration Hub tracks migrations but does not perform the migration.
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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