Quick Answer
The answer is to rehost the application on Amazon EC2 and replatform the database to Amazon RDS. Rehosting, or lift-and-shift, minimizes changes by moving the application as-is to EC2, preserving the existing code and architecture with zero refactoring. Replatforming the MySQL database to RDS reduces operational overhead by offloading database management tasks like patching, backups, and replication to AWS, while requiring only a minor connection string change. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance the "minimize changes" requirement with the "reduce operational overhead" goal, often appearing in migration strategy questions where you must avoid the tempting but incorrect refactor or retire options. A common trap is assuming you must refactor to gain cloud benefits, but here the key is pairing a no-change compute move with a low-effort database service. Memory tip: "Lift the app, shift the DB" — EC2 for the server, RDS for the database.
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 currently runs on a single on-premises server with a local MySQL database. The company wants to minimize changes and reduce operational overhead. Which TWO strategies should the solutions architect recommend? (Select 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.
Refactor the application to use microservices
Why wrong: Incorrect: Requires significant changes.
Retire the application
Why wrong: Incorrect: Application is still needed.
Replatform the database to Amazon RDS for MySQL
Correct: Reduces operational overhead with managed database.
Rehost the application on Amazon EC2
Correct: Lift-and-shift minimizes changes.
Repurchase a SaaS alternative
Why wrong: Incorrect: Not minimizing changes.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Replatform the database to Amazon RDS for MySQL
Rehost (lift-and-shift) minimizes changes by moving the application as-is. Replatforming the database to RDS reduces operational overhead by offloading database management. Retire is not applicable. Refactor would require changes. Repurchase involves buying new software.
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.
Refactor the application to use microservices
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Requires significant changes.
Retire the application
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Application is still needed.
Replatform the database to Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why this is correct
Correct: Reduces operational overhead with managed database.
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.
Rehost the application on Amazon EC2
Why this is correct
Correct: Lift-and-shift minimizes changes.
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.
Repurchase a SaaS alternative
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Not minimizing changes.
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 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
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: Replatform the database to Amazon RDS for MySQL — Rehost (lift-and-shift) minimizes changes by moving the application as-is. Replatforming the database to RDS reduces operational overhead by offloading database management. Retire is not applicable. Refactor would require changes. Repurchase involves buying new software.
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.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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