- A
Use an AWS Config rule to detect instances without the agent and trigger a Lambda function to install it.
Why wrong: While possible, this is reactive and may cause delays; proactive methods are preferred.
- B
Use the CodeDeploy deployment configuration to skip instances that do not have the agent.
Why wrong: Skipping instances would leave them out of deployments, not solve the issue.
- C
Create a custom AMI with the CodeDeploy agent pre-installed, or use a user data script to install the agent at launch.
Pre-installing the agent in the AMI or using user data ensures the agent is ready before deployment.
- D
Configure the CodeDeploy deployment group to automatically install the agent on new instances.
Why wrong: CodeDeploy does not automatically install the agent; it expects the agent to be present.
DOP-C02 Configuration Management and IaC Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of configuration management and iac. 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 company uses AWS CodeDeploy for application deployments to EC2 instances. The team recently noticed that deployments are failing because some instances do not have the CodeDeploy agent installed. Which configuration management approach should the team implement to ensure the CodeDeploy agent is installed and running on all instances before deployment?
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 AMI with the CodeDeploy agent pre-installed, or use a user data script to install the agent at launch.
Option C is correct because it ensures the CodeDeploy agent is present on every EC2 instance from the moment it is launched, either by baking the agent into a custom AMI or by installing it via a user data script. This approach aligns with immutable infrastructure and configuration management best practices, preventing deployment failures caused by missing agents. AWS CodeDeploy requires the agent to be installed and running on target instances before any deployment can proceed.
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.
- ✗
Use an AWS Config rule to detect instances without the agent and trigger a Lambda function to install it.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, this is reactive and may cause delays; proactive methods are preferred.
- ✗
Use the CodeDeploy deployment configuration to skip instances that do not have the agent.
Why it's wrong here
Skipping instances would leave them out of deployments, not solve the issue.
- ✓
Create a custom AMI with the CodeDeploy agent pre-installed, or use a user data script to install the agent at launch.
Why this is correct
Pre-installing the agent in the AMI or using user data ensures the agent is ready before deployment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure the CodeDeploy deployment group to automatically install the agent on new instances.
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy does not automatically install the agent; it expects the agent to be present.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume CodeDeploy can automatically install its own agent on instances (Option D), but AWS CodeDeploy has no such built-in capability; the agent must be provisioned independently through AMI, user data, or a configuration management tool like AWS Systems Manager or Chef.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the CodeDeploy agent is a daemon that polls the CodeDeploy service for deployment instructions and executes the AppSpec file. When using a custom AMI, the agent is pre-installed and configured to start on boot, eliminating the need for post-launch installation. In contrast, user data scripts run during the first boot of an EC2 instance (via cloud-init) and can install the agent, but this approach may introduce a delay before the instance is ready for deployments, which is critical in auto-scaling scenarios where instances must be immediately available.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a custom AMI with the CodeDeploy agent pre-installed, or use a user data script to install the agent at launch. — Option C is correct because it ensures the CodeDeploy agent is present on every EC2 instance from the moment it is launched, either by baking the agent into a custom AMI or by installing it via a user data script. This approach aligns with immutable infrastructure and configuration management best practices, preventing deployment failures caused by missing agents. AWS CodeDeploy requires the agent to be installed and running on target instances before any deployment can proceed.
What should I do if I get this DOP-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 24, 2026
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