PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
A company is migrating its SAP HANA database from on-premises to AWS. The current system uses 6 TB of memory and the company wants to minimize downtime. The company has established a 10 Gbps AWS Direct Connect connection. Which migration method is MOST suitable?
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
✓
Perform a full SAP HANA backup to the on-premises storage, copy the backup files to Amazon S3 using AWS Direct Connect, and restore on AWS.
SAP HANA backup and restore is a suitable method for migrating large databases like this 6 TB system. Using AWS Direct Connect at 10 Gbps provides high throughput for transferring backup files to Amazon S3, minimizing downtime. Option B (SAP HANA system replication) requires low latency and is typically used for high availability, not one-time migrations. Option C (AWS DMS) does not support SAP HANA as a source. Option D (AWS Snowball Edge) introduces logistical complexity and potential delays compared to a direct network transfer.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Perform a full SAP HANA backup to the on-premises storage, copy the backup files to Amazon S3 using AWS Direct Connect, and restore on AWS.
Why this is correct
Backup and restore over Direct Connect is efficient for large databases and minimizes downtime during restore.
- ✗
Set up SAP HANA system replication between on-premises and AWS, then perform a takeover.
Why it's wrong here
System replication requires low latency and is typically used for disaster recovery, not one-time migration.
- ✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) with full load plus ongoing replication.
Why it's wrong here
AWS DMS does not support SAP HANA as a source database.
- ✗
Use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transport the backup files to AWS and then restore.
Why it's wrong here
Snowball adds shipping time and complexity; Direct Connect is faster for a 6 TB database.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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