The correct action is to connect to the source Oracle database and enable full supplemental logging by executing `ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;`. AWS DMS requires full supplemental logging for ongoing replication (CDC) because it needs every column value from the redo logs to reconstruct row changes; without it, DMS cannot capture complete change data, causing the CDC task to fail after a successful initial load. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DMS prerequisites for Oracle-to-RDS migrations, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly focus on network or permissions issues instead of logging. A common memory tip is “ALL columns for ALL changes”—if DMS can’t see every column in the redo log, it can’t replicate the full row, so remember to add supplemental logging for all columns, not just primary key or minimal logging.
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Error from AWS DMS task:
"Last Error: Failed to start change data capture for table 'sales.orders'.
Details: The source database is not configured for full supplemental logging. To enable full supplemental logging, run: ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;"
A team is migrating an Oracle database to Amazon RDS for MySQL using AWS DMS with ongoing replication (CDC). The initial load succeeded, but the CDC task fails with the error shown in the exhibit. The source Oracle database is on-premises. Which action should the team take to resolve the issue?
Refer to the exhibit.
Error from AWS DMS task:
"Last Error: Failed to start change data capture for table 'sales.orders'.
Details: The source database is not configured for full supplemental logging. To enable full supplemental logging, run: ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;"
A
Configure binary logging on the target MySQL RDS instance.
Why wrong: The error is about the source Oracle database, not the target MySQL.
B
Stop and restart the DMS task to clear the error.
Why wrong: Restarting without fixing the logging will cause the same error again.
C
Switch the target database to Amazon RDS for Oracle to maintain compatibility.
Why wrong: Changing the target engine is not required; the issue is with source logging.
D
Connect to the source Oracle database and enable full supplemental logging by executing the command: ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;
This command enables the required logging for CDC to work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Connect to the source Oracle database and enable full supplemental logging by executing the command: ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;
AWS DMS requires full supplemental logging on the source Oracle database to capture all column values for CDC (ongoing replication). Without it, DMS cannot reconstruct the complete row changes from the redo logs, causing the CDC task to fail. Enabling full supplemental logging with `ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;` ensures that every column is logged, allowing DMS to replicate all changes correctly.
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.
✗
Configure binary logging on the target MySQL RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
The error is about the source Oracle database, not the target MySQL.
✗
Stop and restart the DMS task to clear the error.
Why it's wrong here
Restarting without fixing the logging will cause the same error again.
✗
Switch the target database to Amazon RDS for Oracle to maintain compatibility.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the target engine is not required; the issue is with source logging.
✓
Connect to the source Oracle database and enable full supplemental logging by executing the command: ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;
Why this is correct
This command enables the required logging for CDC to work.
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 assume the issue is on the target side (e.g., binary logging) or that a simple restart will fix transient errors, but AWS DMS CDC failures from Oracle almost always point to missing supplemental logging on the source.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Full supplemental logging ensures that every column in every row is written to the Oracle redo log, which DMS reads via LogMiner or direct redo log access. Without it, DMS may only see changed columns, leading to incomplete row images and CDC failures. In real-world scenarios, if the source Oracle database is a high-transaction OLTP system, enabling full supplemental logging can increase redo log volume by 20-30%, so it should be planned during a maintenance window.
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 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Connect to the source Oracle database and enable full supplemental logging by executing the command: ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS; — AWS DMS requires full supplemental logging on the source Oracle database to capture all column values for CDC (ongoing replication). Without it, DMS cannot reconstruct the complete row changes from the redo logs, causing the CDC task to fail. Enabling full supplemental logging with `ALTER DATABASE ADD SUPPLEMENTAL LOG DATA (ALL) COLUMNS;` ensures that every column is logged, allowing DMS to replicate all changes correctly.
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.
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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