Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon FSx for Windows File Server. This is the correct choice because it provides native Server Message Block (SMB) protocol support, which is essential for Windows-based applications that rely on shared storage, whereas legacy Windows NFS environments often require SMB for seamless integration with Active Directory and Windows permissions. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between AWS storage services based on protocol compatibility and shared access requirements—a common trap is selecting Amazon EFS, which uses POSIX permissions and is not fully compatible with Windows, or Amazon S3, which is object storage and lacks file-locking semantics. Another frequent pitfall is Amazon EBS, which cannot be natively shared across multiple Windows instances without additional clustering software. Memory tip: think “Windows needs SMB, not NFS or POSIX,” so FSx for Windows is the natural fit for migrating legacy Windows NFS shared storage to AWS.
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 that uses a network file system (NFS) for shared storage. The application runs on Windows servers. Which AWS storage service should be used for the migration?
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Provides native SMB file storage for Windows applications.
Amazon EFS
Why wrong: EFS is not natively supported on Windows.
Amazon EBS
Why wrong: EBS volumes are block storage, cannot be shared across instances.
Amazon S3
Why wrong: S3 is object storage, not a file system with NFS/SMB.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Option B is correct because Amazon FSx for Windows File Server provides native SMB support for Windows. Option A is wrong because EFS is POSIX-based, not fully compatible with Windows. Option C is wrong because S3 is object storage, not a file system. Option D is wrong because EBS volumes cannot be shared across multiple instances easily.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Why this is correct
Provides native SMB file storage for Windows applications.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon EFS
Why it's wrong here
EFS is not natively supported on Windows.
Amazon EBS
Why it's wrong here
EBS volumes are block storage, cannot be shared across instances.
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage, not a file system with NFS/SMB.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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.
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FAQ
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Amazon FSx for Windows File Server — Option B is correct because Amazon FSx for Windows File Server provides native SMB support for Windows. Option A is wrong because EFS is POSIX-based, not fully compatible with Windows. Option C is wrong because S3 is object storage, not a file system. Option D is wrong because EBS volumes cannot be shared across multiple instances easily.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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 moving a legacy application that uses a shared file system to AWS. The application requires POSIX-compliant file storage that can be accessed by multiple EC2 instances simultaneously. Which AWS storage service should they use?
mediumWhy B: Option C (Amazon EFS) is correct because it provides a scalable, POSIX-compliant NFS file system for EC2. Option A (S3) is object storage, not POSIX. Option B (EBS) can only be attached to one instance at a time. Option D (FSx for Windows) is for SMB, not POSIX.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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