The correct answer is to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with full load and ongoing replication, as this combination directly addresses the need for minimal downtime when migrating a 10 TB SQL Server database to Aurora PostgreSQL. AWS DMS first performs a full load of the existing data, then captures and continuously applies ongoing changes from the source to the target, keeping them synchronized until you are ready to cutover in seconds. On the SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of heterogeneous migration strategies and the critical distinction between schema conversion (handled by AWS SCT) and live data replication—a common trap is confusing SCT’s role with DMS’s replication capability. Remember that DMS handles the data movement and CDC, while SCT only converts the schema; for minimal downtime, you need both tools but only DMS provides the ongoing replication. A helpful memory tip: “DMS keeps the data flowing, SCT just shows the way.”
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 a 10 TB SQL Server database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. The migration must have minimal downtime. The source database is running on-premises with a 1 Gbps network link to AWS. Which strategy should be used to reduce the migration downtime?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with full load and ongoing replication.
Option D is correct because AWS DMS can perform a full load followed by ongoing replication to keep the target in sync, then cutover quickly. Option A is wrong because an Aurora read replica cannot be created from an external database. Option B is wrong because SCT does not handle data replication; it only converts schema. Option C is wrong because uploading a backup file and restoring does not support ongoing replication and may require significant downtime.
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 Database Migration Service (DMS) with full load and ongoing replication.
Why this is correct
DMS supports both full load and continuous replication, minimizing cutover downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Take a full backup of the SQL Server database, upload it to Amazon S3, and restore to Aurora.
Why it's wrong here
A full backup restore does not support ongoing replication and requires downtime.
✗
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema, then export data to flat files and upload to S3.
Why it's wrong here
SCT converts schema, but ongoing replication is not possible with flat files.
✗
Create an Amazon Aurora read replica from the on-premises database.
Why it's wrong here
Aurora read replicas can only be created from an existing Aurora DB cluster.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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 — 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 Database Migration Service (DMS) with full load and ongoing replication. — Option D is correct because AWS DMS can perform a full load followed by ongoing replication to keep the target in sync, then cutover quickly. Option A is wrong because an Aurora read replica cannot be created from an external database. Option B is wrong because SCT does not handle data replication; it only converts schema. Option C is wrong because uploading a backup file and restoring does not support ongoing replication and may require significant downtime.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
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.
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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