The answer is to install the CodeDeploy agent and then start the CodeDeploy agent service on the instances. These two steps directly resolve the root cause of a failed deployment: the agent binary is either missing or not running as a daemon. Without a running agent, the EC2 instance cannot poll the CodeDeploy service for deployment instructions, causing the deployment to hang or fail. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the agent lifecycle versus instance lifecycle hooks. A common trap is confusing user data scripts—which only execute at first launch—with the need to manually start or restart the agent on existing instances. Remember that installing the agent puts the binary in place, but starting the agent service is what actually makes it operational and ready to receive commands. For a quick memory tip: think "Install and Start" as two separate, essential actions—one puts the tool on the disk, the other fires up the engine.
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. 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.
A developer is using AWS CodeDeploy to deploy an application to an Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling group. The deployment fails because the CodeDeploy agent on the instances is not running. Which TWO steps should the developer take to resolve this issue? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install the CodeDeploy agent on the instances.
Options A and C are correct. A: Installing the agent ensures it's present. C: Starting the agent makes it operational. Option B is wrong because user data runs at launch, not on existing instances. Option D is wrong because restarting the instance may not start the agent if it's not installed. Option E is wrong because IAM roles are necessary but don't start the agent.
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.
✗
Attach an IAM role to the instances that allows CodeDeploy actions.
Why it's wrong here
IAM role is needed but does not start the agent.
✓
Install the CodeDeploy agent on the instances.
Why this is correct
Agent must be installed to run.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Start the CodeDeploy agent service on the instances.
Why this is correct
Starting the agent makes it operational for deployments.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reboot the instances.
Why it's wrong here
Reboot does not start the agent if not installed.
✗
Add a script in the Auto Scaling group's launch configuration user data to install the agent.
Why it's wrong here
This helps future instances, but current instances need immediate fix.
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.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install the CodeDeploy agent on the instances. — Options A and C are correct. A: Installing the agent ensures it's present. C: Starting the agent makes it operational. Option B is wrong because user data runs at launch, not on existing instances. Option D is wrong because restarting the instance may not start the agent if it's not installed. Option E is wrong because IAM roles are necessary but don't start the agent.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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