- A
AWS CodeDeploy
Why wrong: CodeDeploy deploys applications, not system configuration.
- B
AWS OpsWorks Stacks
Why wrong: OpsWorks is better for persistent instances with Chef/Puppet.
- C
AWS CloudFormation
Why wrong: CloudFormation provisions resources, not configures instances after launch.
- D
AWS Systems Manager State Manager
State Manager enforces configuration on instances based on associations.
Question 693 of 1,750
How to Automatically Configure Ephemeral EC2 Instances with State Manager
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 is designing a configuration management solution for a fleet of EC2 instances. The instances are ephemeral and frequently replaced by an Auto Scaling group. The engineer needs to ensure that newly launched instances are automatically configured with the latest software packages and settings. Which AWS 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 State Manager
AWS Systems Manager State Manager is the correct choice because it provides a configuration management solution that ensures EC2 instances maintain a desired state. It uses associations to define the software packages, settings, and policies that should be applied to instances, and it automatically applies these configurations to newly launched instances, including those in an Auto Scaling group, without requiring custom scripts or 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.
- ✗
AWS CodeDeploy
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy deploys applications, not system configuration.
- ✗
AWS OpsWorks Stacks
Why it's wrong here
OpsWorks is better for persistent instances with Chef/Puppet.
- ✗
AWS CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation provisions resources, not configures instances after launch.
- ✓
AWS Systems Manager State Manager
Why this is correct
State Manager enforces configuration on instances based on associations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS Systems Manager State Manager with AWS CodeDeploy or AWS CloudFormation, mistakenly thinking that deployment or provisioning tools also handle ongoing configuration management, but State Manager is specifically designed for maintaining desired state on running instances.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Systems Manager State Manager uses associations that are defined as State Manager associations, which can target instances by tags, resource groups, or manually. When a new instance is launched by an Auto Scaling group and tagged appropriately, State Manager automatically applies the association, ensuring the instance reaches the desired state. This is achieved through the SSM Agent running on the instance, which polls the State Manager service for associations and executes the defined documents (e.g., AWS-RunPatchBaseline for patching or AWS-ConfigureAWSPackage for software installation).
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 State Manager — AWS Systems Manager State Manager is the correct choice because it provides a configuration management solution that ensures EC2 instances maintain a desired state. It uses associations to define the software packages, settings, and policies that should be applied to instances, and it automatically applies these configurations to newly launched instances, including those in an Auto Scaling group, without requiring custom scripts or 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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