Which migration approach moves an application to AWS as it runs today, with no code or architecture changes?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Rehost, often called lift and shift, moves servers or virtual machines to AWS with no changes to the application or its architecture, typically using tools such as Application Migration Service. Replatform makes some cloud optimizations without changing the core design, Repurchase swaps in a different product such as SaaS, and Refactor redesigns the application to use cloud-native features. Only rehosting keeps the application exactly as it is.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Refactoring rewrites or re-architects the application to use cloud-native services, which is a significant change rather than a move that leaves the code alone.
- C. Repurchasing replaces the application with a different product, often SaaS, so the software itself changes entirely and is not carried across unchanged.
- D. Replatforming makes targeted optimizations such as moving to a managed database, so the application changes slightly even though its core architecture remains the same.
Exam tip. In the 6 Rs, rehost changes nothing, replatform changes the platform, and refactor changes the code.