Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Systems Manager Maintenance Windows, the correct choice for scheduling and executing SAP HANA patching workflows with approval gates. This service allows you to define time-based schedules for applying patches to SAP HANA databases on EC2, while integrating with Systems Manager Automation to run custom scripts and with approval workflows via Run Command or Change Calendar to enforce governance before execution. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of operational automation versus compliance or provisioning services—a common trap is confusing CloudWatch Events, which can trigger patching but lacks built-in approval gates, or AWS Config, which only audits patch compliance after the fact. Remember the memory tip: “Maintenance Windows manage the when and the who; Config only checks the what.” This distinction is critical for SAP HANA environments where patching requires controlled, auditable rollouts.
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of operations and maintenance. 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.
An SAP system administrator wants to automate the patching of SAP HANA database instances running on EC2. Which AWS service can schedule and execute patching workflows with approval gates?
AWS Systems Manager Maintenance Windows
Maintenance Windows can schedule patching with approval gates.
AWS Config
Why wrong: AWS Config evaluates resource compliance, not patching workflows.
AWS CloudFormation
Why wrong: CloudFormation is for provisioning, not operational patching.
Amazon CloudWatch Events
Why wrong: CloudWatch Events can trigger actions but lacks approval workflow.
Answer choices
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 Maintenance Windows
Option A is correct because AWS Systems Manager Maintenance Windows allow scheduling of patching with optional approval workflows. Option B is wrong because AWS Config is for compliance, not patching. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Events can trigger actions but lacks built-in approval gates. Option D is wrong because CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not patching.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Systems Manager Maintenance Windows
Why this is correct
Maintenance Windows can schedule patching with approval gates.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config evaluates resource compliance, not patching workflows.
AWS CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation is for provisioning, not operational patching.
Amazon CloudWatch Events
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Events can trigger actions but lacks approval workflow.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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 PAS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Operations and Maintenance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Operations and Maintenance practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All PAS-C01 questions
1,733 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
PAS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Design of SAP Workloads on AWS.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Technology.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Migration.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Operations and Maintenance.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to PAS-C01 fundamentals.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to PAS-C01 scenario.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to PAS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: AWS Systems Manager Maintenance Windows — Option A is correct because AWS Systems Manager Maintenance Windows allow scheduling of patching with optional approval workflows. Option B is wrong because AWS Config is for compliance, not patching. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Events can trigger actions but lacks built-in approval gates. Option D is wrong because CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not patching.
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 PAS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.