The answer is Amazon EC2 with Windows Server and Amazon RDS for SQL Server. These two services enable rehosting a .NET application with IIS and SQL Server on AWS with minimal changes because EC2 provides a full Windows Server environment where IIS can run identically to the on-premises setup, while RDS for SQL Server offers a managed database service that is fully compatible with SQL Server, eliminating the need to refactor database code. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the 7 Rs migration strategy, specifically the rehosting (lift-and-shift) approach, where the goal is to move workloads without application modifications. A common trap is selecting AWS Elastic Beanstalk or Amazon Aurora, but Elastic Beanstalk often requires code changes for IIS configuration, and Aurora is not SQL Server compatible. Memory tip: think “EC2 for the web tier, RDS for the data tier” to keep the rehosting pair straight.
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 large .NET application to AWS. The application uses IIS and SQL Server. Which TWO AWS services can be used to rehost the application with minimal changes?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon EC2 with Windows Server
Option A (Amazon EC2 with Windows Server) and Option D (Amazon RDS for SQL Server) are correct. EC2 allows rehosting the web server, and RDS for SQL Server provides a managed database. Option B (AWS Elastic Beanstalk) may require changes. Option C (AWS Lambda) is for serverless. Option E (Amazon Aurora) is not SQL Server compatible.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Amazon Aurora
Why it's wrong here
Aurora is not compatible with SQL Server.
✓
Amazon EC2 with Windows Server
Why this is correct
EC2 can host IIS with minimal changes.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
AWS Elastic Beanstalk
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Beanstalk may require application changes to fit the platform.
✓
Amazon RDS for SQL Server
Why this is correct
RDS for SQL Server is a managed database service that supports SQL Server with minimal changes.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
AWS Lambda
Why it's wrong here
Lambda is serverless, not suitable for rehosting IIS applications.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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 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 — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon EC2 with Windows Server — Option A (Amazon EC2 with Windows Server) and Option D (Amazon RDS for SQL Server) are correct. EC2 allows rehosting the web server, and RDS for SQL Server provides a managed database. Option B (AWS Elastic Beanstalk) may require changes. Option C (AWS Lambda) is for serverless. Option E (Amazon Aurora) is not SQL Server compatible.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 migrating a large-scale .NET application to AWS. The application uses Windows authentication and requires Active Directory integration. The company wants to reduce operational overhead. Which migration approach should they use?
hard
A.Rehost on EC2 with on-premises AD via VPN
✓ B.Rehost on EC2 with AWS Managed Microsoft AD
C.Replatform to use Amazon Cognito for authentication
D.Replatform to AWS Elastic Beanstalk with Amazon Lightsail
Why B: Option C (Deploy on EC2 with Managed Microsoft AD) is correct because it provides Active Directory without managing domain controllers. Option A (Lift-and-shift to on-premises AD) doesn't reduce overhead. Option B (Use Cognito) is for web identity, not AD. Option D (Deploy on Lightsail) has limited AD support.
Variation 2. A company wants to migrate a legacy .NET application to AWS. The application uses Windows authentication and requires a shared file system. Which TWO AWS services should the company use to modernize this application? (Choose two.)
easy
✓ A.Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
✓ B.AWS Elastic Beanstalk
C.Amazon S3
D.Amazon EBS
E.AWS Lambda
Why A: Options B and D are correct. AWS Elastic Beanstalk supports .NET and provides managed environment. Amazon FSx for Windows File Server provides SMB file shares. Option A (Lambda) does not support .NET Framework natively. Option C (EBS) is not shared. Option E (S3) is not a file system.
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Question Discussion
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