The answer is to set up an Oracle read replica and use it as the source for AWS DMS. This is correct because when the source database CPU is at 100% during an Oracle migration, the bottleneck is the source server itself, not the DMS replication instance. By offloading the full load and continuous replication to a read replica, you eliminate the contention on the primary production database, allowing DMS to pull data without competing for CPU cycles, which directly resolves the high latency issue. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of source-side bottlenecks versus DMS instance sizing—a common trap is to assume increasing DMS compute power will fix latency when the root cause is the source’s resource exhaustion. Remember the memory tip: “CPU capped? Replica mapped.” This helps you recall that when the source CPU hits 100%, the fix is to redirect DMS to a read replica rather than scaling the DMS instance.
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 a large on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database is 2 TB in size and has a 24/7 uptime requirement. The company plans to use AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) for continuous replication with minimal downtime. The source database is Oracle 11g running on Linux. During the full load phase, AWS DMS reports high latency and the replication slows down significantly. The source database CPU utilization is at 100% during the migration. The company needs to minimize the impact on production workload. What should the company do to improve the migration performance and reduce impact on the source database?
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
✓
Set up an Oracle read replica and use it as the source for AWS DMS
Option D is correct: Using a read replica as the source for DMS offloads the load from the primary database. Option A (increase DMS instance size) may not help if the source is bottlenecked. Option B (reduce parallel load threads) would slow down migration. Option C (use change data capture only) still requires initial load.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 DMS change data capture (CDC) only, without full load, to reduce the load
Why it's wrong here
CDC only captures ongoing changes; a full load is still needed for initial data sync.
✗
Increase the size of the DMS replication instance to handle more load
Why it's wrong here
The bottleneck is the source database CPU, not the DMS instance; increasing DMS instance size would not reduce source CPU.
✗
Reduce the number of parallel load threads in the DMS task to decrease source CPU usage
Why it's wrong here
Reducing parallel threads would slow down the migration, prolonging the impact.
✓
Set up an Oracle read replica and use it as the source for AWS DMS
Why this is correct
A read replica offloads the migration workload from the primary database, reducing CPU impact.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. 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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up an Oracle read replica and use it as the source for AWS DMS — Option D is correct: Using a read replica as the source for DMS offloads the load from the primary database. Option A (increase DMS instance size) may not help if the source is bottlenecked. Option B (reduce parallel load threads) would slow down migration. Option C (use change data capture only) still requires initial load.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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