The correct answer is to implement the Strangler Fig pattern, adopt a database per service architecture, and use AWS DMS for data migration. This combination works because the Strangler Fig pattern allows you to gradually replace monolithic functionality with microservices, routing traffic to new services while the old system remains live, which directly minimizes downtime. The database per service approach enforces loose coupling by ensuring each microservice owns its data, preventing the tight coupling of a shared schema. AWS DMS then handles the continuous replication and migration of data from the single RDS instance to the new per-service databases with near-zero downtime. On the AWS SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of migration patterns and data isolation; a common trap is choosing a shared database option, which violates the core microservices principle of bounded contexts. Remember the mnemonic “Strangler, Separate, Sync” to recall the three pillars: Strangler Fig for gradual cutover, Separate databases for isolation, and Sync via DMS for minimal disruption.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. 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 monolithic application to microservices on AWS. The current application uses a single Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL database. To avoid tight coupling, each microservice should have its own database. The company needs to minimize downtime during migration. Which THREE strategies should be used?
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
✓
Design each microservice with its own database.
Options B, C, and D are correct. The Strangler Fig pattern gradually replaces functionality. Database per service ensures isolation. AWS DMS can migrate data with minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because a shared database defeats the purpose. Option E is wrong because a single large RDS instance is not a microservices pattern.
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.
✓
Design each microservice with its own database.
Why this is correct
Database per service is a microservices best practice.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use a single shared database with separate schemas for each service.
Why it's wrong here
Shared database creates tight coupling.
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for ongoing replication.
Why this is correct
DMS supports near-zero downtime migration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Implement the Strangler Fig pattern to gradually migrate functionality.
Why this is correct
Pattern allows incremental migration with minimal risk.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Deploy all microservices on a single large EC2 instance.
Why it's wrong here
Not a database strategy.
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.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Design each microservice with its own database. — Options B, C, and D are correct. The Strangler Fig pattern gradually replaces functionality. Database per service ensures isolation. AWS DMS can migrate data with minimal downtime. Option A is wrong because a shared database defeats the purpose. Option E is wrong because a single large RDS instance is not a microservices pattern.
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.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
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 is migrating a legacy monolithic application to AWS. The application currently runs on a single server and uses a MySQL database. The company wants to decouple the application into microservices while minimizing changes to the existing code. Which design approach is MOST cost-effective and requires the least code changes?
medium
A.Deploy the application on AWS Elastic Beanstalk and use Amazon RDS for MySQL
B.Refactor the application into AWS Lambda functions using an API Gateway
✓ C.Use AWS App Runner for the existing application and add new microservices as separate App Runner services with a sidecar pattern
D.Containerize the application using Docker and run it on Amazon ECS with AWS Fargate, using Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why C: Using AWS App Runner with a sidecar pattern allows the existing application to run with minimal changes while adding microservices. Option A (refactoring to Lambda) requires significant code changes. Option B (using ECS with Fargate) involves containerization and orchestration. Option D (using Elastic Beanstalk) is simpler but does not inherently decouple into microservices.
Variation 2. A company is migrating a legacy monolithic application to AWS. The application currently uses a shared filesystem for storing user-uploaded documents. The company wants to decouple storage and compute, ensure high durability, and minimize operational overhead. Which AWS service should the company use to replace the shared filesystem?
medium
A.Amazon EBS
B.Amazon EFS
✓ C.Amazon S3
D.Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Why C: Amazon S3 is the correct choice because it provides a highly durable (99.999999999% durability), scalable, and fully managed object storage service that decouples storage from compute. Unlike a shared filesystem, S3 allows multiple compute instances (e.g., EC2, Lambda) to access the same documents via HTTP/HTTPS APIs without needing a mounted filesystem, minimizing operational overhead. It also supports features like versioning, lifecycle policies, and cross-region replication, making it ideal for user-uploaded documents in a migration scenario.
Variation 3. A company is migrating a legacy monolithic application to AWS. The application currently uses a shared file system for storing user uploads. The solution architect needs to design a highly available and scalable storage solution that supports concurrent read/write operations from multiple EC2 instances. Which AWS service should be used?
medium
A.Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
B.Amazon S3 with S3 File Gateway
✓ C.Amazon EFS
D.Amazon EBS with Multi-Attach enabled
Why C: Amazon EFS is a fully managed, elastic NFS file system that supports concurrent access from multiple EC2 instances, making it ideal for shared file storage. Option A (S3) is object storage, not a file system. Option C (EBS) is block storage attached to a single instance. Option D (FSx for Windows File Server) is for Windows workloads but requires Windows instances.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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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