- A
AWS Snowball Edge
AWS Snowball Edge is a physical storage device that is shipped to the customer, allowing offline transfer of large datasets. For a 2 TB HANA database with a 4-hour downtime window, this is the fastest method as it avoids network bandwidth limitations.
- B
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why wrong: Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration uses edge locations to speed up uploads, but it is still a network-based transfer. A 2 TB transfer may not complete within 4 hours due to bandwidth constraints.
- C
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: AWS DataSync is designed for online data transfer over the network, typically for smaller or ongoing transfers. It is not suitable for a 2 TB initial copy within a short downtime window.
- D
AWS Direct Connect
Why wrong: AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection, but the transfer speed is still limited by the provisioned bandwidth. For 2 TB within 4 hours, the required bandwidth may be cost-prohibitive or unavailable.
SAP HANA Initial Data Transfer Using Snowball Edge
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 an on-premises SAP HANA database to AWS. The database is 2 TB in size and has a 4-hour downtime window. Which AWS service should be used to transfer the initial data copy to AWS?
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
AWS Snowball Edge
Option A is correct because AWS Snowball Edge is an offline data transfer device that is physically shipped to the customer, loaded with data, and then returned to AWS. This avoids network bandwidth limitations and is ideal for large initial data copies (2 TB) within a tight 4-hour downtime window. Options B and D (Direct Connect, S3 Transfer Acceleration) rely on network transfer, which may not complete within the downtime. Option C (AWS DataSync) is for online transfers and better suited for smaller or ongoing syncs, not bulk offline transfer.
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.
- ✓
AWS Snowball Edge
Why this is correct
AWS Snowball Edge is a physical storage device that is shipped to the customer, allowing offline transfer of large datasets. For a 2 TB HANA database with a 4-hour downtime window, this is the fastest method as it avoids network bandwidth limitations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why it's wrong here
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration uses edge locations to speed up uploads, but it is still a network-based transfer. A 2 TB transfer may not complete within 4 hours due to bandwidth constraints.
- ✗
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
AWS DataSync is designed for online data transfer over the network, typically for smaller or ongoing transfers. It is not suitable for a 2 TB initial copy within a short downtime window.
- ✗
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection, but the transfer speed is still limited by the provisioned bandwidth. For 2 TB within 4 hours, the required bandwidth may be cost-prohibitive or unavailable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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: AWS Snowball Edge — Option A is correct because AWS Snowball Edge is an offline data transfer device that is physically shipped to the customer, loaded with data, and then returned to AWS. This avoids network bandwidth limitations and is ideal for large initial data copies (2 TB) within a tight 4-hour downtime window. Options B and D (Direct Connect, S3 Transfer Acceleration) rely on network transfer, which may not complete within the downtime. Option C (AWS DataSync) is for online transfers and better suited for smaller or ongoing syncs, not bulk offline transfer.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
4 more ways this is tested on PAS-C01
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is migrating a large SAP HANA database to AWS. The database is 4 TB in size. They need to transfer the initial data with the least possible network usage and minimal impact on production. The data is stored on a network-attached storage (NAS) device. Which approach should they use?
medium- A.Use AWS CLI with multipart upload over AWS Direct Connect
- B.Use AWS DataSync to transfer data over the internet
- C.Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for continuous replication
- ✓ D.Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer data offline
Why D: AWS Snowball Edge is a physical appliance designed for offline data transfer, making it the optimal choice for transferring a 4 TB SAP HANA database with minimal network usage. It eliminates network bandwidth consumption and avoids impacting production systems. Option A (AWS CLI with multipart upload over AWS Direct Connect) still consumes network bandwidth. Option B (AWS DataSync over the internet) also uses network bandwidth and may be slower for large datasets. Option C (AWS DMS for continuous replication) is intended for ongoing replication and would use network resources and potentially impact production.
Variation 2. A company is migrating an on-premises SAP HANA database to AWS. The database is 2 TB in size. The migration window is limited to 3 days. Which AWS service should be used to perform the initial data transfer?
easy- ✓ A.AWS Snowball Edge
- B.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
- C.AWS DataSync
- D.AWS Direct Connect
Why A: AWS Snowball Edge is designed for large data transfers when network bandwidth is limited. The 2 TB database can be physically shipped and loaded onto AWS. AWS Direct Connect is for ongoing connectivity, not bulk transfer. AWS DataSync is for smaller datasets over the network. AWS DMS is for ongoing replication and requires network bandwidth.
Variation 3. A company is migrating an on-premises SAP HANA database to AWS. The database is 2 TB in size, and the network link has a bandwidth of 1 Gbps with an average utilization of 40% during the migration window. They need to minimize the migration time. Which approach should they use?
easy- ✓ A.Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the data physically.
- B.Request a temporary bandwidth increase from the ISP.
- C.Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication to minimize downtime.
- D.Use Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration to speed up the transfer.
Why A: AWS Snowball Edge is the most efficient approach for large data transfers (2 TB) over a constrained network (1 Gbps at 40% utilization ≈ 400 Mbps). It physically ships the data, avoiding network bottlenecks entirely. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because requesting a bandwidth increase is impractical and may not be feasible. Option C is wrong: AWS DMS with ongoing replication minimizes downtime for incremental changes, but the initial full load would still be slow over the constrained network, increasing total migration time. Option D is wrong: Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration only speeds up uploads to S3, not to SAP HANA directly, and it still relies on the network link.
Variation 4. A company is migrating an SAP HANA database to AWS. The database is 2 TB in size and runs on a single server. The company needs to minimize downtime during the migration. Which AWS service should be used for the initial data transfer?
medium- ✓ A.AWS Snowball Edge
- B.AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication
- C.AWS Direct Connect
- D.Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why A: Option A is correct because AWS Snowball Edge is a physical device designed for large-scale data transfer, allowing the 2 TB SAP HANA database to be shipped to AWS, bypassing network limitations and minimizing downtime. Option B is incorrect because AWS DMS with ongoing replication is intended for continuous synchronization after initial load, not for the initial bulk transfer, and still relies on network speed. Option C is incorrect because AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection but does not eliminate transfer time for large datasets like 2 TB. Option D is incorrect because Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration speeds up uploads over the public internet, but for 2 TB, network transfer would still be slower and less predictable than a physical device.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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