Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Server Migration Service (SMS). This service is specifically designed for migrating entire virtual machines from on-premises environments to AWS while requiring minimal changes to the VM, making it ideal for a Windows Server 2012 R2 workload where you want to preserve the operating system, applications, and configuration without refactoring. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between migration services based on scope: SMS handles full VM-level replication with agentless incremental sync, whereas AWS Application Migration Service (formerly CloudEndure) is optimized for application-level rehosting and often requires agent installation. A common trap is confusing SMS with AWS Database Migration Service, which only handles databases, not entire VMs. Memory tip: think “SMS = Server Migration Service = Server-level lift-and-shift with minimal changes.”
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 a virtual machine from on-premises to AWS. The VM runs Windows Server 2012 R2. The company wants to minimize changes to the VM. Which AWS service should the company use to migrate the VM?
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.
AWS Server Migration Service
SMS can migrate VMs with minimal changes.
AWS Database Migration Service
Why wrong: DMS is for databases.
AWS CloudEndure Migration
Why wrong: CloudEndure is now part of Application Migration Service.
AWS Application Migration Service
Why wrong: Application Migration Service is for application-level migration.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Server Migration Service
Option A is correct because AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) can migrate VMs from on-premises to AWS with minimal changes. Option B is wrong because AWS Application Migration Service is for applications, not VMs. Option C is wrong because AWS CloudEndure Migration is now part of Application Migration Service. Option D is wrong because AWS Database Migration Service is for databases.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Server Migration Service
Why this is correct
SMS can migrate VMs with minimal 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.
AWS Database Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for databases.
AWS CloudEndure Migration
Why it's wrong here
CloudEndure is now part of Application Migration Service.
AWS Application Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
Application Migration Service is for application-level migration.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 — study guide chapter
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Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization practice questions
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FAQ
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Server Migration Service — Option A is correct because AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) can migrate VMs from on-premises to AWS with minimal changes. Option B is wrong because AWS Application Migration Service is for applications, not VMs. Option C is wrong because AWS CloudEndure Migration is now part of Application Migration Service. Option D is wrong because AWS Database Migration Service is for databases.
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.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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 wants to migrate its on-premises virtualized workloads to AWS using the VMware Cloud on AWS service. The company currently uses VMware vSphere for virtualization. What is the primary benefit of using VMware Cloud on AWS for this migration?
easyWhy A: VMware Cloud on AWS allows organizations to use the same VMware tools and processes, minimizing the learning curve and operational changes. It does not automatically reduce costs, nor does it provide better performance or eliminate the need to refactor applications.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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