SAP-C03 practice question: Rehosting and data migration (AWS Transform MGN, DMS, DataSync)
Resilience, Migration, and Business Continuity A free question from our original SAP-C03 practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
A utility company runs about 300 virtual machines on VMware in its data centers, a mix of Windows and Linux. The machines are moved in waves, and each wave must cut over within a four-hour maintenance window with the data current up to the cutover.
The application teams want no changes to the operating systems or applications before the move, and the migration team wants to rehearse each cutover without affecting production.
Which solution meets these requirements?
Choose one answer.
AA. Use AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service), install its replication agent on each machine, and run test cutovers before each production cutover in the window.
BB. Use AWS Database Migration Service full-load and change data capture tasks to replicate each application's database to Amazon RDS, and redeploy the applications on new EC2 instances in AWS.
CC. Export each virtual machine as an image file, copy the files to AWS, and import them during the window, so the full data set moves in one step.
DD. Rebuild each machine from a fresh AMI, then move the data across with a file copy tool during the window, applying the application changes as the final step.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A
A. Right: Correct. The service replicates each machine's disks continuously, so the cutover needs only a short final sync within the window. Test cutovers let the team rehearse each wave without touching production, and the machines move without operating system or application changes.
B. Wrong: DMS replicates databases, not whole virtual machines, so the application servers would have to be rebuilt on new instances. That changes the operating systems and applications, which the teams ruled out.
C. Wrong: Exporting and importing full images needs the machine stopped for the whole copy, which the four-hour window cannot cover for large machines. The option also gives no way to rehearse the cutover.
D. Wrong: Rebuilding changes the operating systems and applications, which the teams ruled out, and the file copy adds risk and time to every window. This is a re-platform, not a rehost.
Explanation
AWS Transform MGN replicates the running machines continuously, which keeps the final cutover inside a short window and allows rehearsal with test cutovers. DMS moves only databases and forces a rebuild of the servers, while full image exports and rebuilds either exceed the window or change the systems.
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