- A
Use custom JSON in the stack settings to specify the file content
Why wrong: Custom JSON is for parameters, not file content.
- B
Create a custom Chef recipe and assign it to the layer's lifecycle events
Custom recipes are the standard way to manage configuration in OpsWorks.
- C
Use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to copy the file
Why wrong: Run Command is not integrated with OpsWorks lifecycle.
- D
Add the file to the instance's user data script
Why wrong: User data only runs at initial launch.
DOP-C02 Configuration Management and IaC Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of configuration management and iac. 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 company uses AWS OpsWorks for configuration management. They have a stack with a layer that includes several EC2 instances. The DevOps engineer needs to deploy a custom configuration file to all instances in the layer. What is the recommended approach?
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 Chef recipe and assign it to the layer's lifecycle events
Option A is correct because OpsWorks allows custom recipes to be associated with lifecycle events, which can deploy configuration files. Option B is wrong because custom JSON is for overriding stack settings, not for deploying files. Option C is wrong because user data only runs at launch. Option D is wrong because Run Command is for ad-hoc commands, not for ongoing configuration management.
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 custom JSON in the stack settings to specify the file content
Why it's wrong here
Custom JSON is for parameters, not file content.
- ✓
Create a custom Chef recipe and assign it to the layer's lifecycle events
Why this is correct
Custom recipes are the standard way to manage configuration in OpsWorks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to copy the file
Why it's wrong here
Run Command is not integrated with OpsWorks lifecycle.
- ✗
Add the file to the instance's user data script
Why it's wrong here
User data only runs at initial launch.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Run Command is not integrated with OpsWorks lifecycle.
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 DOP-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.
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Configuration Management and IaC — study guide chapter
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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 Chef recipe and assign it to the layer's lifecycle events — Option A is correct because OpsWorks allows custom recipes to be associated with lifecycle events, which can deploy configuration files. Option B is wrong because custom JSON is for overriding stack settings, not for deploying files. Option C is wrong because user data only runs at launch. Option D is wrong because Run Command is for ad-hoc commands, not for ongoing configuration management.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DOP-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.
About these practice questions
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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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