- A
AWS OpsWorks Stacks
Why wrong: OpsWorks uses a pull-based model with Chef agents.
- B
AWS CodeCommit
Why wrong: CodeCommit is a Git repository.
- C
AWS Systems Manager Run Command
Run Command pushes commands to instances.
- D
AWS CloudFormation
Why wrong: CloudFormation provisions resources, not configures instances.
Question 1,251 of 1,750
How to Manage EC2 Cluster Configurations with AWS Systems Manager Run Command
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 engineer needs to manage the configuration of a large number of EC2 instances that are part of a cluster. The instances should have consistent software packages, services, and settings. The engineer wants to use a configuration management tool that integrates with AWS and supports a push-based model. Which service should be used?
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
✓
AWS Systems Manager Run Command
AWS Systems Manager Run Command is the correct choice because it provides a push-based configuration management model that allows you to remotely and securely execute commands or scripts across a large fleet of EC2 instances without needing SSH access. It integrates natively with AWS, supports consistent software package installation and service management via SSM documents, and is ideal for maintaining configuration consistency in a cluster.
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.
- ✗
AWS OpsWorks Stacks
Why it's wrong here
OpsWorks uses a pull-based model with Chef agents.
- ✗
AWS CodeCommit
Why it's wrong here
CodeCommit is a Git repository.
- ✓
AWS Systems Manager Run Command
Why this is correct
Run Command pushes commands to instances.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
AWS CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation provisions resources, not configures instances.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'push-based' with agentless models or assume OpsWorks (which uses Chef/Chef push) is push-based, but OpsWorks Stacks primarily relies on pull-based Chef agents, whereas Systems Manager Run Command is the true push-based service for ad-hoc or scheduled configuration tasks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Systems Manager Run Command leverages the SSM Agent installed on EC2 instances, which polls the SSM service for commands to execute; the 'push' is initiated by the user via the AWS Console, CLI, or SDK, and the agent pulls the command document and executes it, reporting results back. This model supports rate control, error thresholds, and integration with AWS CloudTrail for auditing, making it suitable for large-scale, automated configuration updates without requiring bastion hosts or direct network access.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: AWS Systems Manager Run Command — AWS Systems Manager Run Command is the correct choice because it provides a push-based configuration management model that allows you to remotely and securely execute commands or scripts across a large fleet of EC2 instances without needing SSH access. It integrates natively with AWS, supports consistent software package installation and service management via SSM documents, and is ideal for maintaining configuration consistency in a cluster.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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