The answer is the strangler fig pattern, which enables a gradual, zero-downtime migration from a shared database to a database-per-service architecture on Amazon EKS. This pattern works by incrementally routing specific functionality—such as user authentication or order processing—to new microservices, each with its own dedicated database, while the monolith continues to serve the remaining features. Once a service is fully migrated, the old code and data are removed, much like a strangler fig vine slowly overtaking a host tree. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to design evolutionary architectures that avoid downtime, a key scenario in the “Design for Migration” domain. A common trap is choosing read replicas or change data capture (CDC), but these either fail to decouple databases or introduce operational complexity without solving the core migration goal. Memory tip: think “strangler fig = slow, safe replacement”—if the answer promises instant cutover, it’s wrong.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 modernizing its application by breaking a monolith into microservices on Amazon EKS. The application uses a shared PostgreSQL database. The company wants to implement a database-per-service pattern. The migration must be done with zero downtime. Which approach should the company use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement the strangler fig pattern: gradually migrate functionality and data to new services.
Option C is correct because the strangler fig pattern allows gradual migration. Option A is wrong because it causes downtime. Option B is wrong because CDC from a single DB is complex. Option D is wrong because read replicas don't solve the problem.
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.
✓
Implement the strangler fig pattern: gradually migrate functionality and data to new services.
Why this is correct
Allows zero downtime.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use AWS DMS with CDC to replicate the shared database to multiple target databases.
Why it's wrong here
CDC from shared DB to multiple targets is complex.
✗
Use Amazon RDS read replicas to create separate databases for each service.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are read-only.
✗
Create new databases for each service, migrate data during a maintenance window.
Why it's wrong here
Causes downtime.
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: Implement the strangler fig pattern: gradually migrate functionality and data to new services. — Option C is correct because the strangler fig pattern allows gradual migration. Option A is wrong because it causes downtime. Option B is wrong because CDC from a single DB is complex. Option D is wrong because read replicas don't solve the problem.
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.
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Question Discussion
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