Quick Answer
The answer is to upgrade the target RDS instance to a larger size with higher IOPS. This is correct because when an AWS DMS full load is slow and the target RDS is undersized, the bottleneck is write throughput: the db.r5.large instance is capped at 5000 IOPS, which cannot keep pace with the 1 Gbps network link and the 1 TB data volume, causing the DMS replication instance to back up and hit 90% CPU while waiting on storage writes. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between compute and storage bottlenecks in a DMS migration—a common trap is to scale the DMS instance first, but the key metric here is the target’s write IOPS hitting its ceiling, not the replication instance’s CPU. Remember the memory tip: “Target IOPS, not DMS CPU, is the full load clue.”
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 company is migrating their SAP CRM system to AWS. They are using AWS DMS to migrate the database from Oracle to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database size is 1 TB. They have a 1 Gbps network link. They plan to use full load and CDC. During the full load, they notice that the DMS task is running but the progress is very slow. They check CloudWatch metrics and see that the DMS replication instance CPU is at 90% and the write IOPS on the target RDS instance is 5000. The target RDS instance is a db.r5.large (2 vCPU, 16 GB RAM). What should they do to improve the full load performance?
Increase the DMS replication instance size
Why wrong: The DMS instance is not the bottleneck if target is limited.
Upgrade the target RDS instance to a larger size with higher IOPS
Larger instance can handle more write IOPS.
Disable the DMS task logging to reduce overhead
Why wrong: Logging is necessary for CDC and troubleshooting.
Increase the size of the source Oracle instance
Why wrong: The source is on-premises, not in AWS.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Upgrade the target RDS instance to a larger size with higher IOPS
Option B is correct because the target RDS instance is undersized for the write load; upgrading to a larger instance with more IOPS will improve write throughput. Option A is wrong because the source is on-premises, not RDS. Option C is wrong because the DMS instance is already near 100% CPU; increasing it may help but the bottleneck is likely the target. Option D is wrong because disabling logging would cause data loss and is not recommended.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Increase the DMS replication instance size
Why it's wrong here
The DMS instance is not the bottleneck if target is limited.
Upgrade the target RDS instance to a larger size with higher IOPS
Why this is correct
Larger instance can handle more write IOPS.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Disable the DMS task logging to reduce overhead
Why it's wrong here
Logging is necessary for CDC and troubleshooting.
Increase the size of the source Oracle instance
Why it's wrong here
The source is on-premises, not in AWS.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
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
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PAS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Migration — This question tests Migration — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: Upgrade the target RDS instance to a larger size with higher IOPS — Option B is correct because the target RDS instance is undersized for the write load; upgrading to a larger instance with more IOPS will improve write throughput. Option A is wrong because the source is on-premises, not RDS. Option C is wrong because the DMS instance is already near 100% CPU; increasing it may help but the bottleneck is likely the target. Option D is wrong because disabling logging would cause data loss and is not recommended.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PAS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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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