Quick Answer
The answer is to use Amazon ElastiCache to store session data. This is correct because externalizing session state with ElastiCache decouples the session data from the EC2 instance’s local filesystem, making it resilient to instance termination during scaling events. By moving session data to a centralized, in-memory cache, the application becomes stateless from a storage perspective, so any instance behind the ALB can serve any user request without relying on sticky sessions for data persistence. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of stateless architecture patterns and the trade-offs between sticky sessions and externalized state stores. A common trap is assuming that simply enabling sticky sessions or increasing instance size solves the problem, but those approaches don’t address data loss during termination. Memory tip: think “ElastiCache for elastic sessions” — when instances scale in and out, your session data stays put in the cache, not on a dying instance.
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of resilient cloud solutions. 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 runs a stateful application on EC2 instances. The application stores session data locally. The instances are behind an ALB with sticky sessions enabled. A scaling event terminates an instance, causing loss of session data. How can the company prevent this while maintaining performance?
Use Amazon ElastiCache to store session data
ElastiCache provides a resilient, high-performance session store.
Use a dedicated EC2 instance for sessions
Why wrong: A single instance is a single point of failure.
Disable sticky sessions
Why wrong: Disabling sticky sessions does not solve data loss.
Increase the sticky session duration
Why wrong: Sticky sessions do not preserve session data after instance termination.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use Amazon ElastiCache to store session data
Using ElastiCache for session storage externalizes session data, making it resilient to instance termination.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use Amazon ElastiCache to store session data
Why this is correct
ElastiCache provides a resilient, high-performance session store.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Use a dedicated EC2 instance for sessions
Why it's wrong here
A single instance is a single point of failure.
Disable sticky sessions
Why it's wrong here
Disabling sticky sessions does not solve data loss.
Increase the sticky session duration
Why it's wrong here
Sticky sessions do not preserve session data after instance termination.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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 DOP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Resilient Cloud Solutions — This question tests Resilient Cloud Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Use Amazon ElastiCache to store session data — Using ElastiCache for session storage externalizes session data, making it resilient to instance termination.
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 DOP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DOP-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 DOP-C02 exam.
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