Quick Answer
The answer is State Manager, which is the correct Systems Manager capability for scheduling scripts on EC2 with tag-based targeting. State Manager uses associations to define a desired configuration state, automatically running documents—such as AWS-RunShellScript or AWS-RunPowerShellScript—on a recurring schedule while allowing you to target instances by tags, regions, or resource groups. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Systems Manager’s operational tools: Run Command is for immediate, ad-hoc execution; Patch Manager is limited to patching workflows; and Automation handles complex, multi-step runbooks. A common trap is confusing State Manager’s scheduled associations with Run Command’s on-demand execution, so remember that if the requirement includes “on a schedule” and “tag-based targeting,” State Manager is the answer. Memory tip: “State = Schedule” — both start with S, and State Manager keeps your instances in a consistent, scheduled state.
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 company uses AWS OpsWorks for configuration management with Chef. They are migrating to AWS Systems Manager to reduce complexity. The operations team needs to run custom scripts on a fleet of EC2 instances on a schedule, with the ability to target instances based on tags. Which Systems Manager capability should the engineer use?
Patch Manager
Why wrong: C: Patch Manager focuses on patching, not custom scripts.
Automation
Why wrong: D: Automation is for complex workflows, not simple script scheduling.
State Manager
B: State Manager associations can schedule documents and target instances by tags.
Run Command
Why wrong: A: Run Command is for on-demand execution, not scheduled.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
State Manager
Option B is correct because State Manager allows you to define associations that run documents on a schedule with tag-based targeting. Option A is wrong because Run Command is for ad-hoc execution, not scheduled. Option C is wrong because Patch Manager is for patching only. Option D is wrong because Automation is for multi-step workflows, not simple script execution.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Patch Manager
Why it's wrong here
C: Patch Manager focuses on patching, not custom scripts.
Automation
Why it's wrong here
D: Automation is for complex workflows, not simple script scheduling.
State Manager
Why this is correct
B: State Manager associations can schedule documents and target instances by tags.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Run Command
Why it's wrong here
A: Run Command is for on-demand execution, not scheduled.
Common exam traps
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A: Run Command is for on-demand execution, not scheduled.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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
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.
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FAQ
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: State Manager — Option B is correct because State Manager allows you to define associations that run documents on a schedule with tag-based targeting. Option A is wrong because Run Command is for ad-hoc execution, not scheduled. Option C is wrong because Patch Manager is for patching only. Option D is wrong because Automation is for multi-step workflows, not simple script execution.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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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