Quick Answer
The answer is State Manager, Run Command, and Patch Manager. State Manager is the core capability for defining and maintaining a desired instance configuration through associations that enforce SSM documents on a schedule, ensuring continuous compliance. Run Command complements this by allowing you to execute ad-hoc scripts or commands across instances to remediate drift or apply one-time changes, using the same SSM documents for idempotent actions. Patch Manager is the third capability, as it automates the process of scanning for and installing missing patches, directly enforcing a desired patch baseline state. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how Systems Manager capabilities overlap but serve distinct roles: State Manager is for ongoing enforcement, Run Command for on-demand execution, and Patch Manager specifically for patch compliance. A common trap is confusing Automation with State Manager—remember that Automation is for complex multi-step workflows, not simple state enforcement. Memory tip: "SPR" for State, Patch, Run—the three pillars of desired state management.
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 DevOps team wants to manage EC2 instance configurations using AWS Systems Manager. Which THREE capabilities of Systems Manager can be used to ensure instances are in a desired state? (Choose THREE.)
Run Command
Run Command can execute commands to enforce configuration.
OpsCenter
Why wrong: OpsCenter is for managing operational work items.
Parameter Store
Why wrong: Parameter Store is a secure store for configuration data, not an enforcement mechanism.
Patch Manager
Patch Manager ensures instances have the required patches.
State Manager
State Manager defines and maintains desired state of instances.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Run Command
Run Command (A) is correct because it allows you to remotely and securely execute scripts or commands across EC2 instances without needing SSH or RDP, using an SSM document (SSM Document) that defines the desired configuration actions. This capability directly enforces a desired state by running idempotent scripts on demand or on a schedule.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Run Command
Why this is correct
Run Command can execute commands to enforce configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
OpsCenter
Why it's wrong here
OpsCenter is for managing operational work items.
Parameter Store
Why it's wrong here
Parameter Store is a secure store for configuration data, not an enforcement mechanism.
Patch Manager
Why this is correct
Patch Manager ensures instances have the required patches.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
State Manager
Why this is correct
State Manager defines and maintains desired state of instances.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing Parameter Store (a data store) with a configuration management tool, or thinking OpsCenter (an operations dashboard) can enforce state, when only Run Command, State Manager, and Patch Manager directly execute actions to achieve and maintain a desired configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
State Manager (E) uses associations that define a desired configuration state (e.g., ensuring a specific software package is installed or a file is present) and automatically applies it on a schedule or during instance boot, leveraging SSM Documents and rate controls. Patch Manager (D) uses patch baselines and maintenance windows to automatically scan and install missing patches, ensuring instances comply with a defined patch policy. Under the hood, both rely on the SSM Agent running on the instance to execute the defined actions and report compliance back to the Systems Manager service.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. 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
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FAQ
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Run Command — Run Command (A) is correct because it allows you to remotely and securely execute scripts or commands across EC2 instances without needing SSH or RDP, using an SSM document (SSM Document) that defines the desired configuration actions. This capability directly enforces a desired state by running idempotent scripts on demand or on a schedule.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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