Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager. This is the correct choice because Patch Manager is the dedicated capability for automating the process of patching managed nodes with security updates and other types of patches, allowing you to scan for missing patches and apply them on a schedule or on demand. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Systems Manager’s core services: Patch Manager for patching, State Manager for maintaining desired instance states, Automation for running predefined workflows, and Parameter Store for managing configuration data. A common trap is confusing State Manager with Patch Manager, but remember that State Manager enforces configuration baselines (like ensuring a service is running) rather than applying patches. For a quick memory tip, think “Patch Manager patches, State Manager states.”
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 Systems Manager to manage configuration compliance. They want to ensure that all EC2 instances have a specific security patch installed. Which Systems Manager capability should they use?
Automation
Why wrong: Automation is for general-purpose runbooks.
Parameter Store
Why wrong: Parameter Store stores configuration data.
State Manager
Why wrong: State Manager is used to maintain desired state, not specifically for patching.
Patch Manager
Patch Manager automates the patching process.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Patch Manager
Option B is correct because Patch Manager is designed to patch instances. Option A is wrong because State Manager is for state management, not patching. Option C is wrong because Automation is for workflows. Option D is wrong because Parameter Store is for configuration data.
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.
Automation
Why it's wrong here
Automation is for general-purpose runbooks.
Parameter Store
Why it's wrong here
Parameter Store stores configuration data.
State Manager
Why it's wrong here
State Manager is used to maintain desired state, not specifically for patching.
Patch Manager
Why this is correct
Patch Manager automates the patching process.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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
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
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Patch Manager — Option B is correct because Patch Manager is designed to patch instances. Option A is wrong because State Manager is for state management, not patching. Option C is wrong because Automation is for workflows. Option D is wrong because Parameter Store is for configuration data.
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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