- A
Use AWS Snowball to transfer an initial full load of the database to Amazon S3, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication
Correct. Snowball handles large data transfer without network constraints, reducing time for the initial load.
- B
Migrate the database in smaller batches by moving individual schemas sequentially
Why wrong: This approach prolongs the total migration time and does not address the initial load bottleneck.
- C
Use AWS DMS with a single task and disable validation to speed up the process
Why wrong: Disabling validation risks data integrity issues and a single task may not fully utilize resources.
- D
Increase the network bandwidth to 10 Gbps for the duration of the migration
Why wrong: Increasing bandwidth may not be feasible or cost-effective, and the initial load still takes time over the network.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS Snowball to transfer an initial full load of the database to Amazon S3, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication. This is correct because a 50 TB Oracle database over a 1 Gbps link would take over five days for a full load, making minimal downtime impossible; Snowball physically ships the data, bypassing network bandwidth constraints entirely. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid migration architectures where DMS handles continuous change data capture (CDC) after a bulk seed via Snowball, a common trap being to suggest increasing bandwidth or using multiple DMS tasks alone, which still hit the same 1 Gbps ceiling. The key insight is that Snowball accelerates the initial load for large datasets, while DMS manages the ongoing replication for minimal downtime. Memory tip: think "Snowball for the heavy lift, DMS for the live shift."
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 planning to migrate a 50 TB Oracle database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The company requires minimal downtime and wants to use AWS DMS for the migration. The source database is currently running on a dedicated server with high transaction volume. The network bandwidth between on-premises and AWS is 1 Gbps. What additional step should the company take to accelerate the migration and reduce downtime?
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
Use AWS Snowball to transfer an initial full load of the database to Amazon S3, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication
Using AWS DMS with multiple parallel tasks and CDC can accelerate the migration. Reducing the data size by archiving old data before migration reduces the initial load. Increasing bandwidth may help but is not always feasible. Using Snowball for initial load bypasses network limitations for large datasets.
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.
- ✓
Use AWS Snowball to transfer an initial full load of the database to Amazon S3, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication
Why this is correct
Correct. Snowball handles large data transfer without network constraints, reducing time for the initial load.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Migrate the database in smaller batches by moving individual schemas sequentially
Why it's wrong here
This approach prolongs the total migration time and does not address the initial load bottleneck.
- ✗
Use AWS DMS with a single task and disable validation to speed up the process
Why it's wrong here
Disabling validation risks data integrity issues and a single task may not fully utilize resources.
- ✗
Increase the network bandwidth to 10 Gbps for the duration of the migration
Why it's wrong here
Increasing bandwidth may not be feasible or cost-effective, and the initial load still takes time over the network.
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 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.
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.
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Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
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 Snowball to transfer an initial full load of the database to Amazon S3, then use AWS DMS for ongoing replication — Using AWS DMS with multiple parallel tasks and CDC can accelerate the migration. Reducing the data size by archiving old data before migration reduces the initial load. Increasing bandwidth may help but is not always feasible. Using Snowball for initial load bypasses network limitations for large datasets.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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