Lesson 0012: Database Migration

AWS Database Migration Service and Schema Conversion Tool

Note: AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) and the AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) are listed in the CLF-C02 Exam Guide as in-scope. The AWS Academy module PDFs (modules 1-10) in this workspace provide only minimal coverage of these services, with a single mention in Module 8.

What the Modules Say

"Amazon Aurora ... integrates with features such as AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) and the AWS Schema Conversion Tool. These features are designed to help you move your dataset into Amazon Aurora."
— Module 8: Databases

AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)

AWS DMS helps you migrate databases to AWS easily and securely. It can migrate data from on-premises databases, EC2-hosted databases, or other cloud databases to AWS database services including Aurora, RDS, DynamoDB, Redshift, and S3.

The source database remains fully operational during migration.
Supports homogeneous migrations (e.g., Oracle to Oracle) and heterogeneous migrations (e.g., Oracle to Aurora).
Also useful for ongoing replication for DR or database consolidation.

AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)

SCT converts the source database schema and most custom code (views, stored procedures, functions) to a format compatible with the target database. It is typically used together with DMS for heterogeneous migrations.

Converts schemas between different database engines (e.g., Oracle to MySQL).
Reports on objects that cannot be automatically converted so they can be manually addressed.
Integrates with DMS to provide an end-to-end migration solution.

Memory anchor: DMS moves the data. SCT converts the schema (structure). Together they handle migrating databases to AWS, especially across different database engines.

For additional depth on DMS and SCT, consult the exam guide directly. The CLF-C02 exam tests these services at a foundational level — know what they do and when they are used.

Primary Source: AWS Academy Module 8: Databases (module-8.pdf), line 1896-1898. Also referenced in the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide.

Ask your teacher: If you encounter DMS or SCT on practice exams and need more detail, ask. The key distinction tested: DMS migrates data, SCT converts database schemas between different engines.