- A
Use a Cloud VPN tunnel for data transfer.
Why wrong: VPN is only connectivity; it doesn't replicate data continuously.
- B
Use Database Migration Service with continuous replication.
DMS allows continuous replication with minimal downtime.
- C
Use a third-party tool like pglogical for replication.
pglogical supports logical replication with minimal downtime.
- D
Use Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL with read replicas and promote.
Why wrong: Read replicas are for read scaling, not primary migration.
- E
Perform an export using pg_dump and import using psql.
Why wrong: This is an offline method, causing downtime.
Question 890 of 1,000
PCDE Database Migration Service Practice Question
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of plan and manage database infrastructure. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: database Migration Service. 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 on-premises Oracle database to Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL. They want to minimize downtime during the cutover. Which two strategies should the database engineer recommend? (Choose 2.)
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 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 Database Migration Service with continuous replication.
Both Database Migration Service (DMS) with continuous replication and third-party tools like pglogical can be used to minimize downtime during migration from Oracle to Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL. DMS provides a managed service for continuous replication, while pglogical (or similar logical replication tools) can be configured to replicate changes from the source Oracle database to the target PostgreSQL instance, allowing a near-zero downtime cutover.
Key principle: Database Migration Service
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 a Cloud VPN tunnel for data transfer.
Why it's wrong here
VPN is only connectivity; it doesn't replicate data continuously.
- ✓
Use Database Migration Service with continuous replication.
Why this is correct
DMS allows continuous replication with minimal downtime.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Database Migration Service
- ✓
Use a third-party tool like pglogical for replication.
Why this is correct
pglogical supports logical replication with minimal downtime.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Database Migration Service
- ✗
Use Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL with read replicas and promote.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are for read scaling, not primary migration.
- ✗
Perform an export using pg_dump and import using psql.
Why it's wrong here
This is an offline method, causing downtime.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may incorrectly assume that using read replicas (option D) is a valid migration strategy, but read replicas in Cloud SQL are for scaling reads within PostgreSQL, not for migrating from an external Oracle database.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Database Migration Service uses a continuous replication mechanism based on Oracle LogMiner or Oracle GoldenGate to capture changes from Oracle redo logs and apply them to Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL in near real-time. The cutover process involves stopping writes to the source, waiting for replication lag to reach zero, and then promoting the target to become the new primary. In contrast, pglogical is a PostgreSQL extension that provides logical replication, but it requires the source to be PostgreSQL, not Oracle, making it unsuitable for this Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migration scenario.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Database Migration Service
- Continuous Replication
- pglogical
- Minimal Downtime Migration
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
Database Migration Service
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. Database Migration Service 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.
Review database Migration Service, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Plan and manage database infrastructure — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Plan and manage database infrastructure — This question tests Plan and manage database infrastructure — Database Migration Service.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Database Migration Service with continuous replication. — Both Database Migration Service (DMS) with continuous replication and third-party tools like pglogical can be used to minimize downtime during migration from Oracle to Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL. DMS provides a managed service for continuous replication, while pglogical (or similar logical replication tools) can be configured to replicate changes from the source Oracle database to the target PostgreSQL instance, allowing a near-zero downtime cutover.
What should I do if I get this PCDE question wrong?
Review database Migration Service, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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?
Database Migration Service
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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