PAS-C01 AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) Practice Question
A company runs a critical SAP application on an SAP HANA database in a single Availability Zone on AWS. The database is 2 TB in size. The company needs to implement a disaster recovery (DR) strategy with a Recovery Point Objective (RPO) of 15 minutes and a Recovery Time Objective (RTO) of 2 hours. The DR region must be in a different AWS Region. Which solution meets these requirements with the LEAST operational overhead?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates assume SAP HANA System Replication is always the best solution for HANA DR, but synchronous replication across AWS Regions is not feasible due to latency. They may overlook AWS DMS as a viable managed alternative that can meet the RPO/RTO with lower operational overhead.
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
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to continuously replicate data from the HANA database to a HANA database in the DR region.
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with continuous replication (change data capture) can achieve an RPO of 15 minutes for a 2 TB SAP HANA database across AWS Regions. The RTO of 2 hours is achievable by provisioning the target HANA instance in advance and applying changes. This solution uses a fully managed AWS service, reducing operational overhead compared to manual scripting or third-party tools. While SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) is native, cross-region synchronous replication is not feasible due to latency; asynchronous HSR could meet the RPO but is not listed as an option. DMS provides continuous replication with minimal setup and monitoring, making it the best choice among the given options.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure SAP HANA System Replication (HSR) in a multitier setup with a primary in the source region and a synchronous secondary in the DR region. Use HANA takeover for failover.
Why it's wrong here
This option specifies a synchronous secondary in the DR region. Synchronous HSR across AWS Regions is infeasible because network latency would impact performance and may cause replication delays, violating the RPO. Asynchronous HSR would be required, but the option text does not specify asynchronous, making this answer incorrect.
- ✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to continuously replicate data from the HANA database to a HANA database in the DR region.
Why this is correct
Correct. AWS DMS can continuously replicate HANA data with change data capture, meeting the RPO of 15 minutes. The target database can be pre-provisioned, and automated failover can be configured using DMS ongoing replication, achieving an RTO of 2 hours. This is a managed service, reducing operational overhead.
- ✗
Deploy a second HANA node in a different Availability Zone in the same region and configure HANA System Replication. Use AWS Global Accelerator to route traffic to the standby.
Why it's wrong here
This option places the secondary HANA node in a different Availability Zone within the same region, failing to meet the requirement for a different AWS Region. Additionally, using Global Accelerator for database traffic is not standard practice and adds complexity.
- ✗
Use AWS Backup to schedule daily snapshots of the HANA database and copy them to the DR region. In the event of a disaster, restore the latest snapshot to a new HANA instance.
Why it's wrong here
Daily snapshots provide an RPO of 24 hours, which exceeds the required 15 minutes. Restoring a snapshot and configuring the database cannot achieve an RTO of 2 hours reliably. This solution also requires manual intervention during recovery, increasing operational overhead.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.