The correct approach is to use SAP HANA system replication with AWS Launch Wizard. This combination ensures minimal downtime during migration because system replication provides synchronous data replication to maintain full consistency between the source and target HANA databases, while Launch Wizard automates the underlying AWS infrastructure setup, including networking, storage, and compute resources tailored for SAP. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of native HANA replication versus generic AWS tools—a common trap is choosing AWS DMS with CDC, which lacks optimized support for HANA’s internal replication protocols, or assuming an AMI snapshot is a viable migration method when it only captures a point-in-time image without ongoing sync. Remember the key distinction: for a highly critical HANA database, you need database-level replication, not infrastructure-level snapshots. Memory tip: think “SYNC with LAUNCH” — synchronous replication plus automated launch equals minimal downtime.
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.
A company is migrating a highly critical SAP HANA database to AWS. They need to ensure data consistency and minimal downtime. Which approach should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use SAP HANA system replication and AWS Launch Wizard
Using SAP HANA system replication with AWS Launch Wizard automates the setup and provides synchronous replication for consistency. Option A is wrong because DMS with CDC may not support HANA replication efficiently. Option B is wrong because an AMI snapshot is not a migration method. Option D is wrong because S3 cannot be used directly for HANA replication.
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.
✗
Create an AMI of the on-premises HANA server and launch it on AWS
Why it's wrong here
AMI cannot capture on-premises servers; it's for AWS instances.
✗
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication
Why it's wrong here
DMS may not support SAP HANA natively as a source for ongoing replication.
✗
Export HANA data to S3 and import into a new HANA instance
Why it's wrong here
This is manual and not suitable for minimal downtime.
✓
Use SAP HANA system replication and AWS Launch Wizard
Why this is correct
System replication provides low RPO/RTO; Launch Wizard simplifies deployment.
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 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.
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.
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 SAP HANA system replication and AWS Launch Wizard — Using SAP HANA system replication with AWS Launch Wizard automates the setup and provides synchronous replication for consistency. Option A is wrong because DMS with CDC may not support HANA replication efficiently. Option B is wrong because an AMI snapshot is not a migration method. Option D is wrong because S3 cannot be used directly for HANA replication.
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
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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 critical SAP HANA database to AWS. They have a limited migration window and need to ensure data consistency. Which migration approach should they use?
medium
A.Use AWS Backup to restore the latest backup of the HANA database to an EC2 instance.
✓ B.Use SAP HANA System Replication to replicate data to a target HANA system on AWS.
C.Perform a heterogeneous migration using AWS SCT and AWS DMS.
D.Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the source HANA database to an Amazon RDS for HANA instance.
Why B: SAP HANA System Replication with HLI or EC2 allows near-zero downtime and data consistency. Heterogeneous migration with DMS and SCT is for different database engines. Backup and restore may have longer downtime. SAP Landscape Transformation is for system consolidation, not direct HANA migration.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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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