- A
Use AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the on-premises server to AWS.
SMS can replicate servers even if the OS is not officially supported by AWS MGN.
- B
Convert the application to run on Amazon Linux 2 to simplify future management.
Why wrong: Converting to Amazon Linux would require significant rework and testing, not a simple migration step.
- C
Perform a test migration to a non-production environment to validate the application.
Testing ensures the migrated application works correctly before cutting over production traffic.
- D
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to migrate the application server.
Why wrong: DMS is for databases, not for migrating entire servers or applications.
- E
Create a custom Amazon Machine Image (AMI) with the required Linux distribution and dependencies.
A custom AMI ensures the target environment matches the source OS.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) to create a custom Amazon Machine Image (AMI) with the required Linux distribution and dependencies. This is correct because AWS SMS is an agentless service that replicates entire server volumes at the hypervisor level, making it compatible with any custom Linux distribution that runs on a supported hypervisor, unlike AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) which requires a specific agent and OS support matrix. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between agent-based and agentless migration tools when dealing with unsupported operating systems, a common trap being to incorrectly choose MGN or manual AMI creation without considering SMS’s incremental replication capability. Remember the key distinction: MGN needs OS support, SMS only needs hypervisor support. Memory tip: “SMS skips the OS check—it just sees the disk.”
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 company is migrating a critical application to AWS using a phased approach. The application uses a custom Linux distribution that is not supported by AWS Application Migration Service. Which THREE steps should the company take to migrate the application? (Choose THREE)
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 Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the on-premises server to AWS.
AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) is the correct choice because it is an agentless service that can replicate on-premises servers running custom Linux distributions as long as they are supported by the underlying hypervisor. SMS uses incremental replication to create Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) from the source server, enabling a lift-and-shift migration without requiring the application to be converted to a different OS. This approach directly addresses the scenario where AWS Application Migration Service does not support the custom Linux distribution.
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 Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the on-premises server to AWS.
Why this is correct
SMS can replicate servers even if the OS is not officially supported by AWS MGN.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Convert the application to run on Amazon Linux 2 to simplify future management.
Why it's wrong here
Converting to Amazon Linux would require significant rework and testing, not a simple migration step.
- ✓
Perform a test migration to a non-production environment to validate the application.
Why this is correct
Testing ensures the migrated application works correctly before cutting over production traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to migrate the application server.
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for databases, not for migrating entire servers or applications.
- ✓
Create a custom Amazon Machine Image (AMI) with the required Linux distribution and dependencies.
Why this is correct
A custom AMI ensures the target environment matches the source OS.
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 confuse AWS DMS as a general-purpose migration tool for servers, when in fact it is strictly for database migrations, leading them to incorrectly select Option D instead of recognizing that server migration requires a dedicated replication service like SMS or a custom AMI approach.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) uses the VM Import/Export service under the hood to convert on-premises virtual machine disks (VMDK, VHD, etc.) into Amazon EBS snapshots and then into AMIs. SMS supports incremental replication by tracking changed blocks at the hypervisor level, which minimizes downtime during the final sync. In a real-world scenario, if the custom Linux distribution lacks paravirtualized drivers (e.g., AWS PV or NVMe drivers), the migrated instance may fail to boot; therefore, pre-validation of driver compatibility is critical before scheduling the final cutover.
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.
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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 Server Migration Service (SMS) to replicate the on-premises server to AWS. — AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) is the correct choice because it is an agentless service that can replicate on-premises servers running custom Linux distributions as long as they are supported by the underlying hypervisor. SMS uses incremental replication to create Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) from the source server, enabling a lift-and-shift migration without requiring the application to be converted to a different OS. This approach directly addresses the scenario where AWS Application Migration Service does not support the custom Linux distribution.
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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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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