The answer is to run the database on Amazon EC2 with EBS volumes or to use an AWS Marketplace third-party solution that provides a managed service for the proprietary database. These two options are correct because when a database engine is not supported by Amazon RDS, you must either self-manage it on EC2—which still offers managed infrastructure like automated EBS snapshots and instance recovery—or offload operational overhead to a validated partner solution from AWS Marketplace that handles patching, backups, and scaling. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between fully managed services like RDS and the broader definition of “managed” in AWS, where EC2 with EBS is considered a managed compute and storage layer even if the database itself is not. A common trap is assuming “managed service” must mean a database-specific service like RDS or DynamoDB, but the exam expects you to recognize that EC2 with EBS qualifies as a managed infrastructure option for unsupported databases. Memory tip: “If RDS won’t host it, EC2 or Marketplace are your managed hosts.”
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 legacy application to AWS. The application uses a proprietary database that is not supported by Amazon RDS. The company wants to minimize changes and use a managed service. Which TWO options should the company consider? (Choose TWO.)
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
✓
Run the database on Amazon EC2 with Amazon EBS volumes.
Options A and C are correct. Option A: Run the database on EC2 with EBS, which is a common approach for unsupported databases. Option C: Use a partner solution from AWS Marketplace that supports the database. Option B is wrong because RDS is not supported. Option D is wrong because S3 is not a database. Option E is wrong because DynamoDB is NoSQL and would require significant changes.
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 Amazon RDS with a custom engine.
Why it's wrong here
RDS does not support custom or proprietary database engines.
✗
Migrate the database to Amazon S3 and use S3 Select for queries.
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage and not suitable for transactional databases.
✓
Run the database on Amazon EC2 with Amazon EBS volumes.
Why this is correct
EC2 allows you to install any database, providing flexibility with managed infrastructure.
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.
✗
Convert the database to Amazon DynamoDB.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is NoSQL and would require significant application changes.
✓
Use an AWS Marketplace third-party solution that provides a managed service for the database.
Why this is correct
Marketplace offers managed solutions for various databases, reducing operational overhead.
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.
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: Run the database on Amazon EC2 with Amazon EBS volumes. — Options A and C are correct. Option A: Run the database on EC2 with EBS, which is a common approach for unsupported databases. Option C: Use a partner solution from AWS Marketplace that supports the database. Option B is wrong because RDS is not supported. Option D is wrong because S3 is not a database. Option E is wrong because DynamoDB is NoSQL and would require significant changes.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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