The answer is AWS CodeDeploy, as it is the native AWS service designed to orchestrate canary deployments for Lambda functions by leveraging Lambda’s built-in traffic shifting through aliases with weighted targets. CodeDeploy integrates directly with CodePipeline to gradually shift traffic from an old Lambda version to a new one, allowing you to monitor for errors before completing the rollout—this is the core mechanism behind a canary deployment strategy. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of deployment strategies and service boundaries: many candidates mistakenly choose AWS SAM’s AutoPublishAlias and DeploymentPreference, which is a valid feature but not a separate service, or CloudFormation’s UpdatePolicy, which does not support Lambda canary traffic shifting. The common trap is confusing a feature within a framework (SAM) with the dedicated service (CodeDeploy) that actually executes the canary logic. Memory tip: “CodeDeploy does the canary—SAM just sets the stage.”
DOP-C02 Configuration Management and IaC Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of configuration management and iac. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 DevOps engineer is designing a CI/CD pipeline using AWS CodePipeline to deploy a serverless application. The application uses AWS Lambda functions and Amazon API Gateway. The engineer wants to implement a canary deployment strategy for the Lambda functions to reduce risk. Which AWS service or feature should be used to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Lambda traffic shifting using aliases
Option B is correct because AWS Lambda supports traffic shifting using aliases with weighted targets, enabling canary deployments. Option A (CodeDeploy with Lambda) is correct but more specific: CodeDeploy can orchestrate canary deployments for Lambda, but it uses Lambda's built-in traffic shifting. Option C (SAM with AutoPublishAlias) is also correct but is a feature within SAM, not a separate service. However, the question asks for an AWS service or feature; both CodeDeploy and SAM's AutoPublishAlias are valid. But CodeDeploy is the native service for deployment strategies. Option D (CloudFormation with UpdatePolicy) is not applicable for Lambda canary deployments.
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.
✓
AWS Lambda traffic shifting using aliases
Why this is correct
Lambda aliases can be used to shift traffic gradually between two versions.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
AWS CodeDeploy with an AWS Lambda deployment configuration
Why this is correct
CodeDeploy supports canary deployments for Lambda functions using deployment configurations.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
AWS CloudFormation with UpdatePolicy attribute
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation's UpdatePolicy is for EC2 Auto Scaling, not Lambda.
✓
AWS SAM with AutoPublishAlias and DeploymentPreference
Why this is correct
SAM simplifies Lambda deployments with canary traffic shifting.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 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
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 DOP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Lambda traffic shifting using aliases — Option B is correct because AWS Lambda supports traffic shifting using aliases with weighted targets, enabling canary deployments. Option A (CodeDeploy with Lambda) is correct but more specific: CodeDeploy can orchestrate canary deployments for Lambda, but it uses Lambda's built-in traffic shifting. Option C (SAM with AutoPublishAlias) is also correct but is a feature within SAM, not a separate service. However, the question asks for an AWS service or feature; both CodeDeploy and SAM's AutoPublishAlias are valid. But CodeDeploy is the native service for deployment strategies. Option D (CloudFormation with UpdatePolicy) is not applicable for Lambda canary deployments.
What should I do if I get this DOP-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 DOP-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.
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Question Discussion
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