The correct strategies are to deploy the Java backend on Amazon ECS with AWS Fargate and to migrate the PostgreSQL database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. This combination directly addresses the goal to modernize multi-tier applications using containers and serverless by shifting the backend to a fully managed container orchestration service with serverless compute, eliminating the need to manage EC2 instances, while the database layer benefits from automated backups, patching, and scaling without requiring a costly refactor to a NoSQL engine. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance modernization with minimal application changes—a common trap is over-engineering by choosing DynamoDB or Lambda for stateful workloads, when the intent is to reduce operational overhead, not rewrite the application. Remember the memory tip: “Containerize the compute, RDS the data” to avoid unnecessary refactoring when modernizing multi-tier apps.
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 multi-tier application to AWS and wants to modernize by using containers and serverless technologies. The application consists of a Node.js frontend, a Java backend, and a PostgreSQL database. The company wants to reduce operational overhead and improve scalability. Which TWO strategies should the company use? (Choose two.)
Refactor the Node.js frontend to run on AWS Lambda with Amazon API Gateway
Why wrong: Lambda is suitable for Node.js, but the question asks for TWO strategies; the Java backend and database are better candidates for modernization.
B
Migrate the database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL
RDS reduces operational overhead compared to managing PostgreSQL on EC2.
C
Migrate the database to Amazon DynamoDB
Why wrong: DynamoDB is NoSQL and would require application changes.
D
Deploy the Java backend on Amazon ECS with AWS Fargate
Fargate eliminates server management for containers.
E
Deploy the Java backend on Amazon EC2 with Auto Scaling
Why wrong: EC2 requires managing servers; not as modernized as Fargate.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Migrate the database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL
Option B is correct because Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL reduces operational overhead by managing backups, patching, and replication, while providing scalability through read replicas and storage auto-scaling. This aligns with the goal of modernizing the database layer without changing the database engine, avoiding the need to refactor the application to use a NoSQL database like DynamoDB.
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.
✗
Refactor the Node.js frontend to run on AWS Lambda with Amazon API Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Lambda is suitable for Node.js, but the question asks for TWO strategies; the Java backend and database are better candidates for modernization.
✓
Migrate the database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL
Why this is correct
RDS reduces operational overhead compared to managing PostgreSQL on EC2.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Migrate the database to Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is NoSQL and would require application changes.
✓
Deploy the Java backend on Amazon ECS with AWS Fargate
Why this is correct
Fargate eliminates server management for containers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Deploy the Java backend on Amazon EC2 with Auto Scaling
Why it's wrong here
EC2 requires managing servers; not as modernized as Fargate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume that any use of containers or serverless must involve Lambda, but for stateful or long-running Java backends, ECS with Fargate is more appropriate than Lambda, and DynamoDB is not a drop-in replacement for PostgreSQL without significant application changes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon ECS with AWS Fargate is a serverless compute engine for containers that eliminates the need to manage underlying EC2 instances, allowing the Java backend to run in containers with automatic scaling and pay-per-use pricing. Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL automates database administration tasks such as hardware provisioning, software patching, and automated backups, while supporting Multi-AZ deployments for high availability and read replicas for read scaling. The combination of Fargate and RDS reduces operational overhead by abstracting infrastructure management, enabling the company to focus on application code rather than server maintenance.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Migrate the database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL — Option B is correct because Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL reduces operational overhead by managing backups, patching, and replication, while providing scalability through read replicas and storage auto-scaling. This aligns with the goal of modernizing the database layer without changing the database engine, avoiding the need to refactor the application to use a NoSQL database like DynamoDB.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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