- A
Use AWS App2Container to containerize the Windows application and deploy it on Amazon ECS. Migrate the database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. Use Amazon EFS for the CAD file share.
Why wrong: Containerization requires refactoring, which the company wants to avoid; EFS is not natively compatible with Windows.
- B
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to migrate the SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. Use AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the Windows server to an EC2 instance. Use AWS Storage Gateway file gateway to present the CAD files from Amazon S3.
Why wrong: SMS is legacy and being phased out; Storage Gateway adds complexity and potential latency for CAD files.
- C
Use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the Windows server to an EC2 instance. Migrate the SQL Server database using native backup and restore. Use Amazon S3 with a VPC endpoint for the CAD file share, and mount S3 as a network drive using an S3 file gateway.
Why wrong: S3 is not a traditional file share and may introduce latency or compatibility issues; using a file gateway adds complexity.
- D
Use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the on-premises Windows server to an EC2 instance. Migrate the SQL Server database using native backup and restore. Use Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to replace the on-premises file server, and mount the file share via SMB.
This minimizes refactoring, uses a managed file service, and supports SMB protocol required by the application.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the Windows Server 2012 R2 instance, migrate the SQL Server 2014 database via native backup and restore, and replace the on-premises file server with Amazon FSx for Windows File Server mounted over SMB. This combination is correct because AWS MGN enables a true lift-and-shift migration without refactoring the legacy application, while FSx for Windows File Server provides a fully managed, low-latency SMB file share for the CAD drawings, directly replacing the SAN and Windows File Server with minimal operational overhead. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your ability to select the fastest, lowest-risk migration path for legacy Windows and SQL Server workloads under a tight deadline—avoiding the trap of overcomplicating with database replication tools like DMS when native backup/restore is simpler and meets the 3-month timeline. A key memory tip: for legacy SQL Server on Windows, think “MGN for the OS, native backup for the DB, FSx for the files” to keep the migration clean and fast.
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 manufacturing company is planning to migrate a legacy inventory application from a data center to AWS. The application runs on Windows Server 2012 R2 and uses a SQL Server 2014 database. The application requires low-latency access to a shared file system for storing CAD drawings. The current on-premises environment uses a SAN-based storage array for the database and a Windows File Server for the CAD files. The company wants to minimize operational overhead and avoid refactoring the application. The migration must be completed within 3 months. The company has already established a Direct Connect connection between the data center and AWS. Which migration strategy should the company use?
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 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 Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the on-premises Windows server to an EC2 instance. Migrate the SQL Server database using native backup and restore. Use Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to replace the on-premises file server, and mount the file share via SMB.
Option D is correct because it uses AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to lift-and-shift the Windows Server 2012 R2 instance without refactoring, native backup/restore for SQL Server 2014 to minimize complexity, and Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to provide a fully managed SMB file share with low-latency access for CAD drawings. This approach meets the 3-month timeline, avoids application refactoring, and reduces operational overhead by replacing the SAN and Windows File Server with managed AWS services.
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 App2Container to containerize the Windows application and deploy it on Amazon ECS. Migrate the database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. Use Amazon EFS for the CAD file share.
Why it's wrong here
Containerization requires refactoring, which the company wants to avoid; EFS is not natively compatible with Windows.
- ✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to migrate the SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. Use AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the Windows server to an EC2 instance. Use AWS Storage Gateway file gateway to present the CAD files from Amazon S3.
Why it's wrong here
SMS is legacy and being phased out; Storage Gateway adds complexity and potential latency for CAD files.
- ✗
Use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the Windows server to an EC2 instance. Migrate the SQL Server database using native backup and restore. Use Amazon S3 with a VPC endpoint for the CAD file share, and mount S3 as a network drive using an S3 file gateway.
Why it's wrong here
S3 is not a traditional file share and may introduce latency or compatibility issues; using a file gateway adds complexity.
- ✓
Use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the on-premises Windows server to an EC2 instance. Migrate the SQL Server database using native backup and restore. Use Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to replace the on-premises file server, and mount the file share via SMB.
Why this is correct
This minimizes refactoring, uses a managed file service, and supports SMB protocol required by the application.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Amazon EFS or S3 File Gateway for file shares, but they fail to recognize that the legacy Windows application requires SMB protocol and Windows-native features, which only Amazon FSx for Windows File Server provides without refactoring or additional complexity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) performs continuous block-level replication of the source Windows server to a staging area in AWS, enabling a cutover within minutes without refactoring. Amazon FSx for Windows File Server provides a fully managed native Windows file server that supports SMB protocol, Windows ACLs, and DFS namespaces, ensuring seamless integration with the legacy application's file access patterns. Native backup and restore for SQL Server is chosen over DMS to avoid schema conversion or compatibility issues with SQL Server 2014, which is fully supported on Amazon RDS for SQL Server.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PAS-C01 question test?
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: Use AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to replicate the on-premises Windows server to an EC2 instance. Migrate the SQL Server database using native backup and restore. Use Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to replace the on-premises file server, and mount the file share via SMB. — Option D is correct because it uses AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) to lift-and-shift the Windows Server 2012 R2 instance without refactoring, native backup/restore for SQL Server 2014 to minimize complexity, and Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to provide a fully managed SMB file share with low-latency access for CAD drawings. This approach meets the 3-month timeline, avoids application refactoring, and reduces operational overhead by replacing the SAN and Windows File Server with managed AWS services.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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