The answer is AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) to replicate the server to EC2, Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL to replace the proprietary file-based storage, and an Application Load Balancer to distribute traffic across multiple EC2 instances. This combination is correct because MGN performs a block-level replication of the entire on-premises server, including the legacy file system, to EC2 with zero code changes, directly satisfying the minimal code change requirement. Migrating the proprietary storage to RDS for PostgreSQL reduces operational overhead by offloading database management to AWS, while the ALB improves availability by enabling a multi-AZ deployment. On the SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance modernization with minimal refactoring—a common trap is choosing containerization or serverless options that require code rewrites. Remember the mnemonic "MGN-ALB-RDS" for lift-and-shift, load balancing, and managed database, ensuring you avoid over-engineering when the goal is minimal code changes.
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 modernize a legacy Java application that runs on a single on-premises server. The application uses a proprietary file-based storage system. The company wants to migrate to AWS with the following goals: reduce operational overhead, improve availability, and minimize code changes. Which THREE strategies should the company use? (Choose three.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) to migrate the application server to Amazon EC2
AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is correct because it automates the lift-and-shift migration of the on-premises server to Amazon EC2 with minimal downtime and no code changes, directly addressing the goal of reducing operational overhead and minimizing code changes. It replicates the entire server, including the proprietary file-based storage, to AWS, allowing the application to run unchanged.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 Application Migration Service (MGN) to migrate the application server to Amazon EC2
Why this is correct
MGN automates migration with minimal code changes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use Amazon EFS to replace the proprietary file-based storage
Why this is correct
EFS provides a managed, highly available file system.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Migrate the proprietary storage to Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage, not suitable as a direct replacement for file-based or relational storage.
✓
Migrate the proprietary storage to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL
Why this is correct
RDS reduces operational overhead and improves availability.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Refactor the application into microservices and deploy on Amazon EKS
Why it's wrong here
Refactoring to microservices requires significant code changes, not minimal.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume Amazon S3 is the default storage replacement for any file-based system, but they overlook that S3 requires API changes, while Amazon EFS provides a drop-in NFS-compatible replacement that avoids code modifications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS MGN uses continuous block-level replication to synchronize the source server with a staging area in AWS, then launches a fully provisioned EC2 instance during cutover. For the proprietary file-based storage, Amazon EFS provides a POSIX-compliant file system that can be mounted directly on the EC2 instance, preserving the existing file I/O calls without code changes, unlike Amazon S3 which uses object storage APIs. Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL is suitable for structured data but cannot replace a file-based storage system without rewriting the application's data access layer.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) to migrate the application server to Amazon EC2 — AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is correct because it automates the lift-and-shift migration of the on-premises server to Amazon EC2 with minimal downtime and no code changes, directly addressing the goal of reducing operational overhead and minimizing code changes. It replicates the entire server, including the proprietary file-based storage, to AWS, allowing the application to run unchanged.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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