The most likely cause of a CloudWatch alarm showing INSUFFICIENT_DATA for two days is that the CloudWatch agent is not installed on the EC2 instance. This state occurs because the metric data—such as CPUUtilization—has never been received by CloudWatch, and INSUFFICIENT_DATA specifically means no data points exist for the specified period. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that an instance being “running” does not automatically send metrics; the CloudWatch agent must be installed and configured to push custom or OS-level metrics. A common trap is assuming a running instance generates all standard metrics by default, but basic EC2 metrics like CPUUtilization require the agent for detailed monitoring. Remember the mnemonic: “No agent, no data—INSUFFICIENT_DATA.”
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Network Topology
The above CloudWatch alarm is configured for an EC2 instance. The alarm state is 'INSUFFICIENT_DATA' and has been for 2 days. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Why wrong: If the instance were stopped, the alarm might also show INSUFFICIENT_DATA, but the alarm has been in that state for 2 days, indicating persistent lack of data.
B
The alarm period and evaluation periods are misconfigured
Why wrong: The configuration looks valid; if data were present, the alarm would evaluate.
C
The CloudWatch agent is not installed on the EC2 instance
CPUUtilization for EC2 is available by default, but if the instance is not sending metrics due to missing agent or permissions, data will be absent.
D
The threshold is set too high for the metric
Why wrong: Threshold does not cause INSUFFICIENT_DATA; it's data availability issue.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The CloudWatch agent is not installed on the EC2 instance
Option A is correct because INSUFFICIENT_DATA means the metric data is not available. The most common reason is that the CloudWatch agent is not installed or configured to send the CPUUtilization metric. Option B is wrong because the instance is running, but that doesn't guarantee metric data. Option C is wrong because if the alarm period and evaluation periods are correct, the alarm would evaluate to OK or ALARM if data existed. Option D is wrong because the threshold is not the issue; the issue is lack of data.
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.
✗
The EC2 instance is stopped
Why it's wrong here
If the instance were stopped, the alarm might also show INSUFFICIENT_DATA, but the alarm has been in that state for 2 days, indicating persistent lack of data.
✗
The alarm period and evaluation periods are misconfigured
Why it's wrong here
The configuration looks valid; if data were present, the alarm would evaluate.
✓
The CloudWatch agent is not installed on the EC2 instance
Why this is correct
CPUUtilization for EC2 is available by default, but if the instance is not sending metrics due to missing agent or permissions, data will be absent.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The threshold is set too high for the metric
Why it's wrong here
Threshold does not cause INSUFFICIENT_DATA; it's data availability issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
If the instance were stopped, the alarm might also show INSUFFICIENT_DATA, but the alarm has been in that state for 2 days, indicating persistent lack of data.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The CloudWatch agent is not installed on the EC2 instance — Option A is correct because INSUFFICIENT_DATA means the metric data is not available. The most common reason is that the CloudWatch agent is not installed or configured to send the CPUUtilization metric. Option B is wrong because the instance is running, but that doesn't guarantee metric data. Option C is wrong because if the alarm period and evaluation periods are correct, the alarm would evaluate to OK or ALARM if data existed. Option D is wrong because the threshold is not the issue; the issue is lack of data.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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