Quick Answer
The answer is to add the ec2:CreateSnapshot action to the IAM policy. This is correct because AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) works by first creating snapshots of the source server’s EBS volumes, and then using those snapshots to build an AMI via the CreateImage and RegisterImage actions. Without ec2:CreateSnapshot permission, SMS cannot initiate the snapshot step, which triggers the “Unable to create AMI: Insufficient permissions” error even when other EC2 and S3 permissions are present. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the specific IAM permissions required for SMS replication workflows, often appearing as a trap where candidates assume only CreateImage is needed. A common mistake is confusing SMS with VM Import/Export, which uses ec2:ImportImage. Remember the memory tip: “Snapshots come before AMIs” — if SMS can’t snapshot, it can’t image.
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. 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 is migrating a fleet of 200 on-premises Windows servers to AWS. The servers run a mix of custom applications and Microsoft SQL Server databases. The migration plan includes using AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) for the servers and AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for the databases. During the initial replication, several servers fail with the error 'Unable to create AMI: Insufficient permissions'. The IAM role used by SMS has the following policy: {"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["ec2:Describe*","ec2:CreateImage","ec2:RegisterImage","s3:PutObject","s3:GetObject","s3:ListBucket"],"Resource":"*"}]}. Which change should be made to resolve the error?
Remove the s3:PutObject action from the policy
Why wrong: SMS needs s3:PutObject to store temporary data.
Configure a VPC endpoint for EC2
Why wrong: The error is about permissions, not network connectivity.
Add ec2:CreateSnapshot action to the policy
SMS requires CreateSnapshot to create snapshots before creating AMIs.
Add ec2:ImportImage action to the policy
Why wrong: SMS does not use ImportImage; it uses CreateImage from snapshots.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Add ec2:CreateSnapshot action to the policy
Option C is correct. The error 'Unable to create AMI' indicates that SMS lacks permission to create the AMI from the snapshot. SMS requires ec2:CreateSnapshot permission to create snapshots of the volumes before creating AMIs. Option A is wrong because ec2:ImportImage is not needed; SMS uses CreateImage and RegisterImage. Option B is wrong because the error is not about network connectivity. Option D is wrong because SMS does not require s3:PutObject, it already has that permission.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Remove the s3:PutObject action from the policy
Why it's wrong here
SMS needs s3:PutObject to store temporary data.
Configure a VPC endpoint for EC2
Why it's wrong here
The error is about permissions, not network connectivity.
Add ec2:CreateSnapshot action to the policy
Why this is correct
SMS requires CreateSnapshot to create snapshots before creating AMIs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Add ec2:ImportImage action to the policy
Why it's wrong here
SMS does not use ImportImage; it uses CreateImage from snapshots.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Migration — This question tests Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Add ec2:CreateSnapshot action to the policy — Option C is correct. The error 'Unable to create AMI' indicates that SMS lacks permission to create the AMI from the snapshot. SMS requires ec2:CreateSnapshot permission to create snapshots of the volumes before creating AMIs. Option A is wrong because ec2:ImportImage is not needed; SMS uses CreateImage and RegisterImage. Option B is wrong because the error is not about network connectivity. Option D is wrong because SMS does not require s3:PutObject, it already has that permission.
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 exam.
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