The answer is to set up SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) to replicate the database to AWS, then perform a takeover. This approach is correct because HSR enables near-zero downtime migration by continuously replicating changes from the on-premises HANA database to an AWS target instance over the 10 Gbps Direct Connect link, allowing a controlled takeover with less than an hour of downtime. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that HSR is the native SAP tool for minimal-downtime migrations, while options like AWS DMS fail because it cannot natively replicate HANA without schema conversion, and AWS MGN is for server-level, not database-level, replication. A common trap is assuming any AWS service can handle HANA replication, but HSR is purpose-built for this. Memory tip: HSR = HANA Sync Replication; think “HSR for HANA, not DMS for downtime.”
PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. 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 an SAP Business Warehouse (BW) system running on an on-premises HANA database to AWS. The migration must be completed with less than 1 hour of downtime. The source database is 3 TB. The company has established a 10 Gbps AWS Direct Connect connection. The SAP system uses a custom ABAP program that must be migrated as well. The company wants to minimize manual intervention. Which approach should be taken?
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
✓
Set up SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) to replicate the database to AWS, then perform a takeover.
Using SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) allows near-zero downtime replication. Option B is wrong because AWS DMS does not support HANA as a source for ongoing replication without schema conversion. Option C is wrong because AWS MGN is for server migration, not database. Option D is wrong because manual restore would exceed downtime.
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.
✗
Use AWS DMS to replicate the HANA database to Amazon RDS for HANA.
Why it's wrong here
RDS for HANA does not exist; DMS for HANA to HANA is possible but not with ongoing replication for large databases.
✓
Set up SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) to replicate the database to AWS, then perform a takeover.
Why this is correct
HSR provides synchronous replication with minimal downtime.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Export the HANA database to files, transfer via Direct Connect, and import on EC2.
Why it's wrong here
Export/import requires significant downtime.
✗
Use AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) to replicate the entire server.
Why it's wrong here
MGN replicates the server, but database consistency requires additional steps.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Migration — This question tests Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) to replicate the database to AWS, then perform a takeover. — Using SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) allows near-zero downtime replication. Option B is wrong because AWS DMS does not support HANA as a source for ongoing replication without schema conversion. Option C is wrong because AWS MGN is for server migration, not database. Option D is wrong because manual restore would exceed downtime.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 large SAP Business Warehouse (BW) system to AWS. The system uses SAP HANA as the database. The migration plan involves using SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) for near-zero downtime. During the initial synchronization, the network bandwidth is limited to 1 Gbps. The source database is 5 TB. How long will the initial synchronization approximately take, assuming no other bottlenecks?
hard
A.Approximately 2 hours
B.Approximately 6 hours
✓ C.Approximately 12 hours
D.Approximately 24 hours
Why C: 5 TB = 5,000 GB = 40,000 Gb (since 1 GB = 8 Gb). At 1 Gbps, time = 40,000 seconds ≈ 11.1 hours. This simple calculation ignores overhead, but among the options, 12 hours is the closest. The other options are unrealistic.
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.