- A
Use AWS DataSync over a Direct Connect connection.
Why wrong: DataSync is optimized for smaller datasets; 2 PB over 1 Gbps exceeds the bandwidth capacity.
- B
Set up a VPN connection and use rsync to copy data to S3.
Why wrong: rsync over VPN is slow and not suitable for large data volumes.
- C
Use AWS Transfer Family to send data over FTP to S3.
Why wrong: FTP over 1 Gbps is too slow for 2 PB in 30 days.
- D
Order multiple AWS Snowball Edge devices, copy data, and return them. Then set up AWS Glue jobs to convert to Parquet if needed.
Snowball Edge provides high-capacity offline transfer, meeting the deadline.
Question 957 of 1,746
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 2 PB data lake from on-premises HDFS to Amazon S3. The data is in Parquet format and is accessed by Spark jobs. The migration must be completed within 30 days over a 1 Gbps network. Which approach minimizes cost and meets the deadline?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Order multiple AWS Snowball Edge devices, copy data, and return them. Then set up AWS Glue jobs to convert to Parquet if needed.
Option D is correct because AWS Snowball Edge devices provide a petabyte-scale offline transfer solution, capable of moving 2 PB of data within the 30-day deadline without relying on the 1 Gbps network bandwidth. Option A (DataSync over Direct Connect) and Option B (VPN + rsync) are limited by the 1 Gbps network, which can transfer only about 324 TB in 30 days, insufficient for 2 PB. Option C (AWS Transfer Family over FTP) is also bandwidth-limited and inefficient for large-scale data. Snowball Edge avoids network constraints, making it the most cost-effective and timely approach.
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 DataSync over a Direct Connect connection.
Why it's wrong here
DataSync is optimized for smaller datasets; 2 PB over 1 Gbps exceeds the bandwidth capacity.
- ✗
Set up a VPN connection and use rsync to copy data to S3.
Why it's wrong here
rsync over VPN is slow and not suitable for large data volumes.
- ✗
Use AWS Transfer Family to send data over FTP to S3.
Why it's wrong here
FTP over 1 Gbps is too slow for 2 PB in 30 days.
- ✓
Order multiple AWS Snowball Edge devices, copy data, and return them. Then set up AWS Glue jobs to convert to Parquet if needed.
Why this is correct
Snowball Edge provides high-capacity offline transfer, meeting the deadline.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Visual reference
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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.
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Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — study guide chapter
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Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
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: Order multiple AWS Snowball Edge devices, copy data, and return them. Then set up AWS Glue jobs to convert to Parquet if needed. — Option D is correct because AWS Snowball Edge devices provide a petabyte-scale offline transfer solution, capable of moving 2 PB of data within the 30-day deadline without relying on the 1 Gbps network bandwidth. Option A (DataSync over Direct Connect) and Option B (VPN + rsync) are limited by the 1 Gbps network, which can transfer only about 324 TB in 30 days, insufficient for 2 PB. Option C (AWS Transfer Family over FTP) is also bandwidth-limited and inefficient for large-scale data. Snowball Edge avoids network constraints, making it the most cost-effective and timely approach.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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