Quick Answer
The answer is VMware Cloud on AWS because it enables you to migrate VMware VMs to AWS with consistent management tools, allowing you to use the same vCenter, NSX, and vSAN interfaces you already rely on in your on-premises environment. This service runs native VMware software on dedicated AWS bare-metal infrastructure, so your existing operational workflows, policies, and skill sets transfer directly without refactoring. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of hybrid migration strategies where operational consistency is the primary driver, often appearing as a distractor against Server Migration Service (SMS) or Database Migration Service (DMS). A common trap is choosing SMS because it handles server migration, but it does not preserve VMware management tooling; DMS is for databases only, and Snowball is for offline bulk data transfer. Memory tip: think “VMware on AWS” for the same tools, “SMS” for lift-and-shift without management continuity.
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 VMs to AWS. The company wants to use the same management tools and maintain consistency. Which AWS service should be used for this migration?
AWS Server Migration Service (SMS)
Why wrong: SMS does not provide VMware management tools.
AWS Snowball Edge
Why wrong: Snowball is for offline data transfer, not VMware management.
VMware Cloud on AWS
Provides consistent VMware environment on AWS.
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why wrong: DMS is for databases, not VMs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
VMware Cloud on AWS
Option C is correct because VMware Cloud on AWS allows running VMware workloads natively on AWS with consistent management. Option A is wrong because Server Migration Service (SMS) is for server migration but not VMware management. Option B is wrong because DMS is for databases. Option D is wrong because Snowball is for offline data transfer.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Server Migration Service (SMS)
Why it's wrong here
SMS does not provide VMware management tools.
AWS Snowball Edge
Why it's wrong here
Snowball is for offline data transfer, not VMware management.
VMware Cloud on AWS
Why this is correct
Provides consistent VMware environment on AWS.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for databases, not VMs.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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 — study guide chapter
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Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization practice questions
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FAQ
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: VMware Cloud on AWS — Option C is correct because VMware Cloud on AWS allows running VMware workloads natively on AWS with consistent management. Option A is wrong because Server Migration Service (SMS) is for server migration but not VMware management. Option B is wrong because DMS is for databases. Option D is wrong because Snowball is for offline data transfer.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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