The correct answer is to configure a target tracking scaling policy based on average CPU utilization, as this directly addresses both the need to automatically replace unhealthy instances and optimize costs. A target tracking policy works by dynamically adjusting the Auto Scaling group’s desired capacity to maintain a specified metric target—here, average CPU utilization—so that when an instance becomes unhealthy due to CPU spikes, the policy scales out to replace it with a healthy one, and scales in when demand drops, preventing over-provisioning and reducing costs. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how dynamic scaling policies integrate with health checks and cost optimization, often appearing as a trap where candidates confuse scheduled scaling or simple health check replacements with the automatic, metric-driven response of target tracking. A key memory tip: think of target tracking as a “thermostat” for your fleet—it keeps the CPU at the set point, automatically swapping out faulty units and trimming excess capacity, unlike static schedules or manual interventions.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 runs a critical application on Amazon EC2 instances in an Auto Scaling group behind an Application Load Balancer (ALB). The application experiences intermittent high latency due to CPU spikes on some instances. The company wants to automatically replace unhealthy instances and optimize costs. What should a solutions architect do?
Configure a target tracking scaling policy based on average CPU utilization.
A target tracking policy scales the group to maintain CPU utilization at a target value and works with ALB health checks to replace unhealthy instances.
B
Use a lifecycle hook to perform a health check and terminate unhealthy instances.
Why wrong: Lifecycle hooks are for custom actions during scale-in/out, not for automatic health-based replacement.
C
Use an AWS Lambda function to terminate instances with high CPU.
Why wrong: While possible, this approach is more complex and less integrated than using Auto Scaling policies.
D
Implement a scheduled scaling policy to increase instances during peak hours.
Why wrong: Scheduled scaling is based on time, not CPU spikes.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure a target tracking scaling policy based on average CPU utilization.
Option B is correct because a dynamic scaling policy adjusts the number of instances based on CPU utilization. Option A is wrong because it does not replace unhealthy instances. Option C is wrong because it replaces all instances at fixed times. Option D is wrong because it only replaces instances on a schedule.
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.
✓
Configure a target tracking scaling policy based on average CPU utilization.
Why this is correct
A target tracking policy scales the group to maintain CPU utilization at a target value and works with ALB health checks to replace unhealthy instances.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use a lifecycle hook to perform a health check and terminate unhealthy instances.
Why it's wrong here
Lifecycle hooks are for custom actions during scale-in/out, not for automatic health-based replacement.
✗
Use an AWS Lambda function to terminate instances with high CPU.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, this approach is more complex and less integrated than using Auto Scaling policies.
✗
Implement a scheduled scaling policy to increase instances during peak hours.
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled scaling is based on time, not CPU spikes.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
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: Configure a target tracking scaling policy based on average CPU utilization. — Option B is correct because a dynamic scaling policy adjusts the number of instances based on CPU utilization. Option A is wrong because it does not replace unhealthy instances. Option C is wrong because it replaces all instances at fixed times. Option D is wrong because it only replaces instances on a schedule.
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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Question Discussion
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