- A
Create a Docker image of the entire monolithic application and run it on ECS with Fargate.
Why wrong: This does not achieve microservices; it's just containerization of the monolith.
- B
Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer.
This incremental approach minimizes downtime and risk, allowing both old and new to coexist.
- C
Run the monolithic application on the same EC2 instance as the new microservices, using different ports.
Why wrong: This doesn't decompose the application and may cause resource contention.
- D
Refactor the entire application into microservices, then deploy all microservices at once on ECS.
Why wrong: A big-bang approach increases risk and likely causes extended downtime.
Quick Answer
The answer is the strangler fig pattern, which allows you to incrementally replace parts of the monolith with microservices while routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer. This approach is correct because it minimizes downtime by keeping the original monolithic application fully operational as you gradually extract and deploy individual services as containers on Amazon ECS with Fargate. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of migration strategies that balance risk and operational continuity—the key trap is confusing a full refactor (which introduces massive downtime) with the incremental, low-risk strangler fig approach. A common memory tip is to visualize the strangler fig vine wrapping around a tree: the new microservices slowly take over traffic from the monolith until the old system can be safely removed.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 has a monolithic application running on a single Amazon EC2 instance. The application consists of a web server and a backend worker process. The company wants to migrate to a microservices architecture using containers on Amazon ECS with Fargate. The solutions architect needs to design a solution that minimizes downtime during the migration. Which approach should the solutions architect recommend?
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
Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer.
Option D is correct because a strangler fig pattern allows incremental migration of functionality from the monolith to microservices, with the ALB routing traffic to either the monolith or new services. This minimizes downtime because the old application remains operational while pieces are moved. Option A is wrong because a lift-and-shift of the entire application into a single container does not decompose it into microservices. Option B is wrong because refactoring the entire application at once introduces significant risk and downtime. Option C is wrong because running both the monolith and new services on the same instance but on different ports does not inherently minimize downtime and complicates routing.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a Docker image of the entire monolithic application and run it on ECS with Fargate.
Why it's wrong here
This does not achieve microservices; it's just containerization of the monolith.
- ✓
Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer.
Why this is correct
This incremental approach minimizes downtime and risk, allowing both old and new to coexist.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Run the monolithic application on the same EC2 instance as the new microservices, using different ports.
Why it's wrong here
This doesn't decompose the application and may cause resource contention.
- ✗
Refactor the entire application into microservices, then deploy all microservices at once on ECS.
Why it's wrong here
A big-bang approach increases risk and likely causes extended downtime.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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.
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 SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer. — Option D is correct because a strangler fig pattern allows incremental migration of functionality from the monolith to microservices, with the ALB routing traffic to either the monolith or new services. This minimizes downtime because the old application remains operational while pieces are moved. Option A is wrong because a lift-and-shift of the entire application into a single container does not decompose it into microservices. Option B is wrong because refactoring the entire application at once introduces significant risk and downtime. Option C is wrong because running both the monolith and new services on the same instance but on different ports does not inherently minimize downtime and complicates routing.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
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 SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SAP-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 SAP-C02 exam.
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