- A
Create a custom platform using the Packer tool and specify it in the environment configuration.
This is the correct method to use a custom AMI in Elastic Beanstalk by defining a custom platform.
- B
Use the Elastic Beanstalk console to change the AMI ID in the environment configuration after creation.
Why wrong: Elastic Beanstalk does not allow changing the AMI ID of an existing environment; a new environment must be created.
- C
Modify the .ebextensions configuration file to specify the custom AMI ID.
Why wrong: .ebextensions is used to customize the environment, but it cannot change the base AMI used by the platform.
- D
Launch a new environment with a different platform version that includes the required software.
Why wrong: If the required software is not available in any standard platform version, a custom platform is necessary.
Quick Answer
The correct approach is to create a custom platform using the Packer tool and specify it in the environment configuration. This is the only supported method for using a custom AMI in Elastic Beanstalk because the service’s standard platforms are pre-baked with specific operating systems and runtimes; Packer allows you to build a fully customized AMI with your required software packages and then register it as a custom platform version. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of Elastic Beanstalk’s platform customization limits—many developers mistakenly try to use a .ebextension to modify the AMI at launch, but that only works for user data scripts, not for altering the base image itself. A common trap is assuming you can simply specify a custom AMI ID in the environment configuration, but Elastic Beanstalk does not accept arbitrary AMI IDs for its managed instances. Memory tip: think “Packer packs the platform” to remember that Packer is the tool for building custom platforms with your own AMI.
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 deploying an application using AWS Elastic Beanstalk. The application requires a custom Amazon Machine Image (AMI) that includes specific software packages not available in the standard Elastic Beanstalk platform. Which approach should the developer use to ensure the custom AMI is used for all EC2 instances in the environment?
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
Create a custom platform using the Packer tool and specify it in the environment configuration.
Option A is correct because AWS Elastic Beanstalk allows you to create a custom platform using Packer, which can include a custom AMI with specific software packages. You then specify this custom platform in the environment configuration, ensuring all EC2 instances in the environment use that AMI. This approach is the only supported method for using a custom AMI that is not part of the standard Elastic Beanstalk platform.
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.
- ✓
Create a custom platform using the Packer tool and specify it in the environment configuration.
Why this is correct
This is the correct method to use a custom AMI in Elastic Beanstalk by defining a custom platform.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the Elastic Beanstalk console to change the AMI ID in the environment configuration after creation.
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Beanstalk does not allow changing the AMI ID of an existing environment; a new environment must be created.
- ✗
Modify the .ebextensions configuration file to specify the custom AMI ID.
Why it's wrong here
.ebextensions is used to customize the environment, but it cannot change the base AMI used by the platform.
- ✗
Launch a new environment with a different platform version that includes the required software.
Why it's wrong here
If the required software is not available in any standard platform version, a custom platform is necessary.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think .ebextensions can override the AMI, but .ebextensions only configures the instance after launch, not the base image itself.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Elastic Beanstalk custom platforms are built using Packer and a platform definition file (e.g., platform.yaml) that defines the AMI, instance type, and software stack. The custom platform is then published to your AWS account and selected during environment creation or update. Under the hood, Elastic Beanstalk uses the custom AMI as the base for all EC2 instances, ensuring consistency across autoscaling groups and rolling updates.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
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: Create a custom platform using the Packer tool and specify it in the environment configuration. — Option A is correct because AWS Elastic Beanstalk allows you to create a custom platform using Packer, which can include a custom AMI with specific software packages. You then specify this custom platform in the environment configuration, ensuring all EC2 instances in the environment use that AMI. This approach is the only supported method for using a custom AMI that is not part of the standard Elastic Beanstalk platform.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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