The answer is installing the AWS MGN agent on each source VM and launching a test instance to verify the migration before cutover. These two steps are required because AWS MGN operates by continuously replicating block-level changes from the source server to a staging area in AWS, and the agent is the essential component that captures those disk writes and orchestrates the replication. Without the agent, MGN cannot track changes, and without a test instance launch, you cannot validate that the replicated data will boot correctly in the target environment—skipping this verification risks extended downtime during the actual cutover. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the MGN workflow versus other migration services; a common trap is confusing AWS MGN with AWS SMS or AWS DMS, or assuming that CloudEndure Migration is a separate step rather than the former name of MGN itself. Remember the memory tip: “Agent and test—no downtime rest”—the agent enables continuous replication, and the test instance proves the cutover will be clean.
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 migrating its on-premises VMware VMs to AWS using AWS MGN. They need to ensure that the migration minimizes downtime and automates cutover. Which TWO steps are required? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Launch a test instance to validate the migration before cutover
AWS MGN requires installing the MGN agent on each source VM (B) and then launching a test instance to verify the migration before cutover (C). Option A (AWS SMS) is a different service. Option D (AWS DMS) is for databases. Option E (AWS CloudEndure Migration) is the former name of MGN, but the question asks for steps within MGN, and test launch is a required step.
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 Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the VMs
Why it's wrong here
SMS is an older service; MGN is the recommended service.
✗
Use AWS CloudEndure Migration to configure the replication
Why it's wrong here
CloudEndure Migration is the former name of MGN, but the question is about MGN steps, not the service name.
✓
Launch a test instance to validate the migration before cutover
Why this is correct
Testing is a best practice to ensure the migrated instance works correctly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Install the AWS MGN agent on each source VM
Why this is correct
The agent is required for replication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
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
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: Launch a test instance to validate the migration before cutover — AWS MGN requires installing the MGN agent on each source VM (B) and then launching a test instance to verify the migration before cutover (C). Option A (AWS SMS) is a different service. Option D (AWS DMS) is for databases. Option E (AWS CloudEndure Migration) is the former name of MGN, but the question asks for steps within MGN, and test launch is a required step.
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.
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 number of on-premises virtual machines (VMs) to AWS using AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN). During the initial replication, some VMs fail with the error 'Replication agent cannot communicate with the AWS MGN endpoint'. Which TWO actions should the company take to resolve this issue? (Choose TWO.)
medium
A.Reinstall the AWS Replication Agent on the source servers
✓ B.Configure AWS PrivateLink VPC endpoints for AWS MGN in the target VPC
C.Ensure that the security group of the replication servers allows inbound traffic from the source servers
✓ D.Verify that the source servers have outbound internet access to the AWS MGN endpoint
E.Increase the instance type of the source servers to provide more CPU and memory
Why B: Options A and D are correct. AWS MGN requires outbound internet access or VPC endpoints to communicate with the service endpoint. Option B (enable inbound rules) is for incoming traffic, not needed. Option C (change instance type) is unrelated. Option E (reinstall agent) is not the first troubleshooting step.
Variation 2. An organization is planning to migrate a large number of on-premises virtual machines to AWS. The migration must be automated and support replication of live workloads with minimal downtime. Which AWS service is best suited for this task?
easy
A.AWS DataSync
✓ B.AWS Application Migration Service (MGN)
C.AWS Server Migration Service (SMS)
D.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why B: Option C (AWS Application Migration Service) is correct as it automates lift-and-shift migration with continuous replication and cutover. Option A (DMS) is for databases. Option B (Server Migration Service) is legacy and less capable. Option D (DataSync) is for data transfer, not live VM replication.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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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