Which AWS Service Should You Use to Import VM Images?
A company plans to migrate its on-premises VMware VMs to AWS. The company wants to automate the migration of VM images and minimize manual effort. Which AWS service should the company use?
Quick Answer
The answer is AWS VM Import/Export, because it is the only service specifically designed to import raw VM images—such as VMDK or VHD files—directly into Amazon EC2 as Amazon Machine Images (AMIs), enabling a lift-and-shift migration of on-premises VMware VMs with minimal manual effort. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between services that handle different migration layers: VM Import/Export deals with disk-level image transfer, while Application Migration Service (formerly SMS) automates server-level replication and cutover. A common trap is confusing Application Migration Service with VM Import/Export, but remember that Application Migration Service is for continuous replication of live servers, not for importing static VM image files. For databases, use DMS; for file data, use DataSync. Memory tip: think “Import/Export = Image files, like a USB stick for your VM.”
⚠ Common exam trap
A common pitfall is choosing AWS VM Import/Export because it is a familiar VM import tool, but it lacks automation. The correct service for automated server migration is now AWS Application Migration Service (MGN), which has replaced SMS.
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
✓
AWS Application Migration Service (MGN)
AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) is the correct choice because it automates the migration of on-premises server volumes (including VMware VMs) to AWS with minimal manual effort. It provides continuous, block-level replication and simplifies large-scale migrations. MGN is the modern successor to AWS Server Migration Service (SMS). AWS VM Import/Export (Option A) is a one-time import tool requiring manual steps. AWS DataSync (Option B) is for file and object transfers, not VM images. AWS DMS (Option D) is for databases. Therefore, MGN (Option C) is the service that best meets the requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
AWS VM Import/Export
Why it's wrong here
VM Import/Export converts a single VM image you upload to S3 into an AMI, requiring manual export, upload and per-image CLI calls, so it does not automate a fleet migration. It suits one-off image conversions or exporting AMIs back on-premises, not continuous VMware discovery and replication.
- ✗
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync moves files and objects between storage systems over NFS, SMB or object APIs; it transfers data only and never converts a VM into a bootable AMI. It is correct when migrating file shares or datasets, not when the source is a running VMware virtual machine.
- ✓
AWS Application Migration Service (MGN)
Why this is correct
AWS Application Migration Service replicates source servers block-by-block into AWS, then launches test or cutover instances automatically. This agent-based continuous replication removes manual image conversion, satisfying the requirement to automate VMware VM migration and minimise manual effort.
- ✗
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why it's wrong here
DMS replicates data between homogeneous or heterogeneous databases; it moves rows and schemas, not VM images, so it cannot automate VMware VM migration. It is the right service when the source and target are database engines and the goal is minimal-downtime data replication.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on SAP-C02
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 wants to automate the migration of on-premises servers to AWS. The migration plan includes discovery, assessment, and automated replication. Which AWS service should the company use?
easy- A.AWS CloudEndure Migration
- ✓ B.AWS Migration Hub
- C.AWS Schema Conversion Tool
- D.AWS Database Migration Service
Why B: (AWS Migration Hub) is correct because it provides a centralized location to track the progress of migrations across multiple AWS and partner tools, including discovery, assessment, and replication. It integrates with AWS Application Discovery Service for discovery and assessment, and with AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) or AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) for automated replication. Option A (AWS CloudEndure Migration) is now part of AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and focuses on replication, not end-to-end tracking. Option C (AWS Schema Conversion Tool) is used for converting database schemas, not for server migration. Option D (AWS Database Migration Service) is specifically for database migrations, not for general server migration management.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.