The answer is the /etc/hosts file on the target instance still referencing the source server’s old private IP address. AWS Application Migration Service replicates the operating system disk but does not automatically update the /etc/hosts file, so after cutover the new EC2 instance retains the source’s IP mapping while its actual private IP has changed, causing SAP hostname resolution to fail. On the PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how AWS MGN handles static network configurations versus dynamic cloud networking—a common trap is assuming DNS or Route 53 is required, but the real issue is a stale local hosts entry. Remember that MGN replicates the OS disk byte-for-byte, so any hardcoded IP in /etc/hosts must be manually updated post-migration; think “MGN copies the disk, not the network.”
PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. 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 an SAP NetWeaver system to AWS using the AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN). The source server runs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 12 SP5. After the cutover, the SAP application fails to start with an error indicating that the hostname resolution fails. The target EC2 instance has the same hostname as the source. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The /etc/hosts file on the target instance still references the source server's old private IP address
Option D is correct. AWS MGN does not automatically replicate the /etc/hosts file; after migration, the new instance's private IP changes, so /etc/hosts must be updated. Option A is incorrect because AWS MGN supports SLES. Option B is incorrect because AWS MGN replicates the entire OS disk including /etc/sysconfig/network. Option C is incorrect because Route 53 is not required for internal hostname resolution.
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.
✗
The network configuration file /etc/sysconfig/network was not replicated
Why it's wrong here
AWS MGN replicates the entire disk including network configuration.
✓
The /etc/hosts file on the target instance still references the source server's old private IP address
Why this is correct
After migration, the target instance gets a new IP; /etc/hosts must be updated to reflect the new IP.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The source server's operating system is not supported by AWS MGN
Why it's wrong here
AWS MGN supports SLES 12 SP5.
✗
The target instance is not registered in Amazon Route 53 private hosted zone
Why it's wrong here
Hostname resolution can be done via /etc/hosts; Route 53 is not required.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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: The /etc/hosts file on the target instance still references the source server's old private IP address — Option D is correct. AWS MGN does not automatically replicate the /etc/hosts file; after migration, the new instance's private IP changes, so /etc/hosts must be updated. Option A is incorrect because AWS MGN supports SLES. Option B is incorrect because AWS MGN replicates the entire OS disk including /etc/sysconfig/network. Option C is incorrect because Route 53 is not required for internal hostname resolution.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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