The answer is to use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transfer the initial HANA backup. This is correct because the 1 TB dataset over a 1 Gbps Direct Connect link would take over two hours for the initial data transfer, even with compression, while Snowball Edge bypasses network latency entirely by shipping the data via a secure physical device. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid migration strategies where SAP HANA system replication is used for ongoing sync, but the initial seed must be moved faster than the network allows. A common trap is assuming more bandwidth or compression alone solves the bottleneck, but Snowball Edge is the only option that eliminates network transfer time for the baseline. Memory tip: think “Seed with Speed” — Snowball seeds the initial replication so HANA replication only handles delta changes afterward.
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. 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 planning to migrate its SAP ERP system from an on-premises data center to AWS. The system uses SAP HANA as the database. The current on-premises HANA database size is 1 TB. The company wants to minimize downtime during the migration. The network connection between on-premises and AWS has a bandwidth of 1 Gbps. The company has already set up a Direct Connect connection. They plan to use SAP HANA system replication to replicate the database to an EC2 instance in AWS. However, the initial data transfer will take too long due to the large dataset. What should they do to reduce the initial replication time?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transfer the initial HANA backup.
Option C is correct: Using AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the initial HANA data backup physically is much faster over slow network. Option A is wrong because increasing bandwidth with another Direct Connect may be costly and time-consuming. Option B is wrong because compression may help but still limited by bandwidth. Option D is wrong because using a VPN over the internet is slower.
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.
✗
Order an additional Direct Connect circuit to increase bandwidth.
Why it's wrong here
This takes time and may not be feasible quickly.
✗
Enable compression on the HANA system replication.
Why it's wrong here
Compression helps but still limited by 1 Gbps.
✗
Set up a VPN connection over the internet for faster transfer.
Use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transfer the initial HANA backup.
Why this is correct
Snowball provides high-speed physical transfer.
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
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
Technology — This question tests Technology — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Snowball Edge to physically transfer the initial HANA backup. — Option C is correct: Using AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the initial HANA data backup physically is much faster over slow network. Option A is wrong because increasing bandwidth with another Direct Connect may be costly and time-consuming. Option B is wrong because compression may help but still limited by bandwidth. Option D is wrong because using a VPN over the internet is slower.
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.
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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Question Discussion
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