The answer is to use the `CanaryDeployment` property on the `AWS::Serverless::Function` resource with a `DeploymentPreference` of type `Canary10Percent5Minutes`. This is correct because AWS SAM’s `CanaryDeployment` property automatically creates a Lambda alias, publishes new versions, and shifts a percentage of API Gateway traffic to the new version over a specified time window, enabling gradual traffic shifting without manual intervention. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of how SAM abstracts the underlying AWS CodeDeploy and Lambda alias configuration to implement canary releases for serverless APIs. A common trap is confusing `CanaryDeployment` with the `AutoPublishAlias` property—the former includes traffic shifting, while the latter only publishes versions without gradual rollout. Memory tip: think “CanaryDeployment = AutoPublishAlias + CodeDeploy traffic shift.”
DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. 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 deploys a serverless application using AWS SAM. The application includes an API Gateway REST API and multiple Lambda functions. The team wants to implement canary deployments for the API to gradually shift traffic to a new version. Which SAM template configuration should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the CanaryDeployment property on the Serverless::Function resource with a DeploymentPreference
Option A is correct because AWS SAM's `CanaryDeployment` property on the `AWS::Serverless::Function` resource, combined with a `DeploymentPreference` of type `Canary10Percent5Minutes`, enables gradual traffic shifting for API Gateway integrations. This configuration automatically creates a Lambda alias, publishes new versions, and shifts a percentage of API traffic to the new version over a specified time window, all without manual intervention.
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.
✓
Use the CanaryDeployment property on the Serverless::Function resource with a DeploymentPreference
Why this is correct
CanaryDeployment enables CodeDeploy to shift traffic in increments (e.g., 10% for 5 minutes).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create multiple Lambda function versions and use API Gateway stage variables to switch between them
Why it's wrong here
Stage variables switch instantly, not gradually.
✗
Define the Lambda function with AutoPublishAlias: live and set the API Gateway integration to point to the alias
Why it's wrong here
AutoPublishAlias creates a new version and updates the alias, but does not shift traffic gradually.
✗
Use AWS CloudFormation's UpdatePolicy with AutoScalingRollingUpdate
Why it's wrong here
AutoScalingRollingUpdate is for EC2 Auto Scaling groups, not Lambda.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `AutoPublishAlias` with canary deployments, assuming that publishing a new version and pointing an alias to it automatically shifts traffic gradually, when in fact it requires an explicit `DeploymentPreference` with a canary type to enable traffic shifting.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, SAM's `CanaryDeployment` leverages AWS CodeDeploy to orchestrate the traffic shift between two Lambda function versions (the current and new) via a Lambda alias. The `DeploymentPreference` can specify linear, canary, or all-at-once strategies, with optional pre- and post-traffic hooks for validation. In a real-world scenario, this allows teams to monitor error rates or latency metrics during the canary window and automatically roll back if CloudWatch alarms are triggered, ensuring safe deployments.
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 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
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.
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the CanaryDeployment property on the Serverless::Function resource with a DeploymentPreference — Option A is correct because AWS SAM's `CanaryDeployment` property on the `AWS::Serverless::Function` resource, combined with a `DeploymentPreference` of type `Canary10Percent5Minutes`, enables gradual traffic shifting for API Gateway integrations. This configuration automatically creates a Lambda alias, publishes new versions, and shifts a percentage of API traffic to the new version over a specified time window, all without manual intervention.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.