PCDE Migrate data solutions Practice Question
A team is migrating a 2 TB MySQL database from on-premises to Cloud SQL. They want to minimize downtime. The source is MySQL 8.0 with InnoDB tables, and the application can be read-only during cutover. Which approach provides the lowest downtime while ensuring data consistency?
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 CDC and promote when lag is zero.
DMS with continuous CDC provides near-zero downtime by replicating ongoing changes. After the initial dump, the source continues to replicate changes, allowing a quick cutover with minimal downtime.
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 mysqldump with --single-transaction to export, then import to Cloud SQL using mysql client.
Why it's wrong here
This requires full downtime for the export/import duration, which could be hours.
- ✗
Use Cloud Dataflow to stream data from MySQL to Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
Dataflow is not designed for database migration and would require custom pipelines.
- ✗
Use gcloud sql import command with a compressed dump file from Cloud Storage.
Why it's wrong here
This still requires a full dump and import, causing extended downtime.
- ✓
Use Database Migration Service with continuous CDC and promote when lag is zero.
Why this is correct
DMS CDC minimizes downtime by replicating changes in real time.
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