The correct three steps are to perform a rolling update with a batch size of 1 and a pause time, update the launch template with the new instance type, and create a new Auto Scaling group first to enable a blue/green approach. This combination works because a rolling update with a single-instance batch and a pause minimizes disruption by replacing instances one at a time, while updating the launch template ensures new instances launch with the desired type, and creating a separate group allows traffic to shift gradually before terminating the old group—effectively achieving an update to the Auto Scaling group instance type without downtime. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of CloudFormation’s UpdatePolicy attribute and the trade-offs between rolling and blue/green deployments; a common trap is assuming terminating all instances at once is acceptable, which causes downtime. Remember the mnemonic “One Batch, One Template, One New Group” to recall the three steps for zero-downtime instance type changes.
DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. 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 team is using AWS CloudFormation to deploy a three-tier web application. The stack includes an Application Load Balancer, an Auto Scaling group, and an RDS database. They want to update the stack to change the instance type of the Auto Scaling group without downtime. Which three steps should they take? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a new Auto Scaling group with the new instance type and attach it to the load balancer, then delete the old group.
Option A is correct because using a rolling update with a pause before replacing instances minimizes downtime. Option C is correct because updating the launch template with the new instance type is necessary. Option D is correct because creating a new Auto Scaling group first allows a blue/green approach. Option B is wrong because terminating all instances at once causes downtime. Option E is wrong because modifying the RDS instance type is not part of the change.
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.
✓
Create a new Auto Scaling group with the new instance type and attach it to the load balancer, then delete the old group.
Why this is correct
Blue/green deployment avoids downtime.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Modify the RDS instance type to match the new EC2 instance type for consistency.
Why it's wrong here
RDS instance type is independent of EC2 instance type.
✓
Update the Auto Scaling group's launch template or launch configuration to specify the new instance type.
Why this is correct
The launch template defines the instance type for new instances.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Terminate all instances in the Auto Scaling group before updating the launch configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Terminating all instances causes downtime.
✓
Perform a rolling update with a batch size of 1 and a pause time.
Why this is correct
Rolling update with small batches minimizes impact.
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 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
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.
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a new Auto Scaling group with the new instance type and attach it to the load balancer, then delete the old group. — Option A is correct because using a rolling update with a pause before replacing instances minimizes downtime. Option C is correct because updating the launch template with the new instance type is necessary. Option D is correct because creating a new Auto Scaling group first allows a blue/green approach. Option B is wrong because terminating all instances at once causes downtime. Option E is wrong because modifying the RDS instance type is not part of the change.
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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