PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"s3:GetObject",
"s3:PutObject",
"s3:DeleteObject"
],
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::migration-bucket/*"
},
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"ec2:DescribeInstances",
"ec2:StartInstances",
"ec2:StopInstances"
],
"Resource": "*"
}
]
}An SAP administrator is migrating an on-premises SAP system to AWS using this IAM policy. When attempting to launch a new EC2 instance from an AMI stored in the S3 bucket, the launch fails. What is the likely cause?
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
✓
The IAM policy does not include ec2:RunInstances.
The launch fails because the IAM policy does not include the ec2:RunInstances permission, which is required to launch new EC2 instances. Option A is incorrect because the ability to stop or start instances is not relevant to launching new instances. Option C is incorrect because the failure is due to the IAM policy, not the S3 bucket policy; the IAM policy may allow s3:GetObject but that does not overcome the lack of ec2:RunInstances. Option D is incorrect because describing instances is not a prerequisite for launching.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The policy does not allow stopping or starting instances.
Why it's wrong here
The policy's lack of stop/start permissions does not affect the ability to launch new instances; the issue is missing ec2:RunInstances.
- ✓
The IAM policy does not include ec2:RunInstances.
Why this is correct
Correct. ec2:RunInstances is required to launch EC2 instances and is missing from the policy.
- ✗
The S3 bucket policy does not allow reading the AMI object.
Why it's wrong here
The problem is with the IAM policy, not the S3 bucket policy. Even if the bucket policy allowed reading, the IAM policy still lacks ec2:RunInstances.
- ✗
The policy does not allow describing EC2 instances.
Why it's wrong here
Describing instances is not required to launch new instances; the missing permission is ec2:RunInstances.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.