DVA-C02 AWS Systems Manager Run Command Practice Question
A company uses AWS OpsWorks for configuration management and deployment of applications on EC2 instances. The company wants to migrate to AWS Systems Manager for automation and patching. Which Systems Manager capability should be used to execute scripts and commands on EC2 instances as part of a deployment?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates may mistakenly choose State Manager because it can also run scripts as part of a desired state, but the question specifically asks for executing scripts 'as part of a deployment', which is typically a one-time action. Run Command is purpose-built for ad-hoc command execution, making it the right choice.
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
✓
AWS Systems Manager Run Command
AWS Systems Manager Run Command is the correct capability because it allows you to remotely and securely execute scripts and commands on EC2 instances as part of a deployment. Run Command is designed for one-time or on-demand execution, which aligns with the need to run deployment scripts. State Manager is for ongoing configuration management, not for one-time deployment tasks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager
Why it's wrong here
AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager is specifically designed to automate the process of scanning instances for missing operating system and application patches, then applying those updates. Its primary function is to maintain security compliance and system health through patching, not to execute custom, arbitrary deployment scripts or commands unrelated to software updates. It focuses on managing software vulnerabilities, not general deployment tasks.
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AWS Systems Manager State Manager
Why it's wrong here
AWS Systems Manager State Manager is used for defining and maintaining a consistent desired configuration state across a fleet of instances over time. It continuously applies associations to ensure that instances remain compliant with specified configurations, such as installing software or joining a domain. This differs from a one-time execution of deployment scripts, as State Manager focuses on ongoing enforcement rather than transient, imperative commands.
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AWS Systems Manager Automation
Why it's wrong here
AWS Systems Manager Automation is designed for orchestrating complex, multi-step workflows using runbooks, which can involve various AWS services and actions. While an Automation runbook can include a step to invoke Run Command for script execution, Automation itself is a higher-level orchestration service, not the direct tool for simply executing an arbitrary script or command on an instance. Its purpose is broader workflow automation, not direct, ad-hoc command execution.
- ✓
AWS Systems Manager Run Command
Why this is correct
AWS Systems Manager Run Command is the ideal capability for executing arbitrary scripts and commands on EC2 instances remotely and securely. It allows administrators to run shell scripts, PowerShell commands, or predefined Systems Manager documents directly on managed instances without needing SSH access. This direct, on-demand execution makes it perfectly suited for running deployment scripts as part of a configuration management process.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DVA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services 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 DVA-C02 exam.