- A
Use Ora2Pg to migrate the schema, then perform a manual bulk data export/import
Why wrong: This approach lacks continuous sync and minimal downtime.
- B
Use Database Migration Service to create a continuous migration job with a full dump and CDC, then test the replica and promote it
DMS supports Oracle to AlloyDB migration with continuous sync and promotion.
- C
Use Datastream to replicate to AlloyDB, then promote the target
Why wrong: Datastream does not support AlloyDB as a target.
- D
Use Cloud Data Fusion to create an ETL pipeline from Oracle to AlloyDB
Why wrong: Data Fusion is not a migration tool for CDC and promotion.
Question 508 of 980
PCD Practice Question: Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of manage a solution that can span multiple database systems. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 5 TB Oracle database to AlloyDB for PostgreSQL. They need to validate the migration with a test replica without impacting the source. After testing, they plan to promote the replica to become the primary. Which migration strategy should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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 to create a continuous migration job with a full dump and CDC, then test the replica and promote it
Database Migration Service (DMS) with a continuous migration job using a full dump and Change Data Capture (CDC) is the correct choice because it allows you to create a fully synchronized test replica of the 5 TB Oracle database in AlloyDB for PostgreSQL without impacting the source. After validating the replica, you can promote it to become the primary with minimal downtime, as CDC ensures near-real-time consistency.
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.
- ✗
Use Ora2Pg to migrate the schema, then perform a manual bulk data export/import
Why it's wrong here
This approach lacks continuous sync and minimal downtime.
- ✓
Use Database Migration Service to create a continuous migration job with a full dump and CDC, then test the replica and promote it
Why this is correct
DMS supports Oracle to AlloyDB migration with continuous sync and promotion.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Datastream to replicate to AlloyDB, then promote the target
Why it's wrong here
Datastream does not support AlloyDB as a target.
- ✗
Use Cloud Data Fusion to create an ETL pipeline from Oracle to AlloyDB
Why it's wrong here
Data Fusion is not a migration tool for CDC and promotion.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Datastream (a CDC streaming tool) with Database Migration Service, but Datastream cannot perform the initial full dump or promote a replica to primary in AlloyDB, making it unsuitable for this end-to-end migration scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Database Migration Service uses a combination of a full dump (logical backup) to establish the initial copy and then applies ongoing changes via Oracle LogMiner or binary log CDC to keep the AlloyDB target synchronized. During promotion, DMS stops applying changes and transitions the target to a writable primary, which is critical for large databases like 5 TB where downtime must be minimized. A subtle behavior is that DMS requires the Oracle source to have supplemental logging enabled for CDC to capture all changes, including primary key and unique constraint updates.
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.
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
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — This question tests Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Database Migration Service to create a continuous migration job with a full dump and CDC, then test the replica and promote it — Database Migration Service (DMS) with a continuous migration job using a full dump and Change Data Capture (CDC) is the correct choice because it allows you to create a fully synchronized test replica of the 5 TB Oracle database in AlloyDB for PostgreSQL without impacting the source. After validating the replica, you can promote it to become the primary with minimal downtime, as CDC ensures near-real-time consistency.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCD practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCD exam.
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