The correct answer is to configure the ECS task definition to use the awslogs log driver and specify the log group. This works because the awslogs driver is a built-in Docker log driver that automatically streams stdout and stderr from the container directly to Amazon CloudWatch Logs, eliminating the need for any in-container agents or manual file handling. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to send ECS container logs to CloudWatch Logs when migrating from EC2 to Fargate, where you cannot manage the underlying host. A common trap is assuming the CloudWatch Agent must run inside the container, but that approach is less efficient and unnecessary when the awslogs driver handles it natively at the task definition level. Remember the memory tip: "awslogs in the task def, logs to CloudWatch on the reg."
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 company has a legacy application that runs on an Amazon EC2 instance. The developer is tasked with containerizing the application and deploying it on Amazon ECS with Fargate. The application writes logs to a local file. What should the developer do to ensure logs are available in Amazon CloudWatch Logs?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the ECS task definition to use the 'awslogs' log driver and specify the log group.
Option A is correct because using the awslogs log driver sends container logs to CloudWatch Logs. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch Agent inside the container is less efficient. Option C is wrong because ECS does not send logs automatically. Option D is wrong because S3 is not a direct log destination.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Modify the application to write logs to stdout, as ECS automatically captures stdout to CloudWatch Logs.
Why it's wrong here
ECS does not automatically send logs; you must configure the log driver.
✗
Install the CloudWatch Agent inside the container and configure it to tail the log file.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, using the awslogs log driver is the recommended approach for ECS.
✓
Configure the ECS task definition to use the 'awslogs' log driver and specify the log group.
Why this is correct
The awslogs log driver sends container stdout/stderr to CloudWatch Logs.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Mount an Amazon S3 bucket and write logs to S3, then use a Lambda function to send them to CloudWatch.
Why it's wrong here
This is overly complex and not a standard practice.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DVA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the ECS task definition to use the 'awslogs' log driver and specify the log group. — Option A is correct because using the awslogs log driver sends container logs to CloudWatch Logs. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch Agent inside the container is less efficient. Option C is wrong because ECS does not send logs automatically. Option D is wrong because S3 is not a direct log destination.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DVA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.