The answer is Amazon ECR, Amazon ECS, and AWS CodePipeline. This combination works because when a new Docker image is pushed to Amazon ECR, it can automatically trigger an AWS CodePipeline execution, which then instructs Amazon ECS to update the service’s task definition with the new image URI, enabling a fully automated CI/CD pipeline for container deployments. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of event-driven deployment patterns and the distinction between orchestration tools and provisioning tools—a common trap is selecting AWS CloudFormation or Systems Manager, which handle infrastructure as code and operational management, respectively, not continuous deployment triggered by an ECR push. Remember the memory tip: “Push to ECR, Pipeline takes the wheel, ECS deploys the meal”—this helps you recall that ECR triggers the pipeline, which orchestrates the ECS update, leaving CloudFormation and Systems Manager out of the deployment loop.
SOA-C02 Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and automation. 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 deploying a microservices application on AWS using Amazon ECS with Fargate launch type. The SysOps administrator needs to automate the deployment process so that when a new Docker image is pushed to Amazon ECR, the ECS service is updated with the new image. Which THREE AWS services should be used together to achieve this? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS CodePipeline
Option A (Amazon ECR) is correct for storing Docker images. Option B (Amazon ECS) is correct for running containers. Option D (AWS CodePipeline) is correct for orchestrating the CI/CD pipeline triggered by ECR push. Option C is incorrect because CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not continuous deployment. Option E is incorrect because Systems Manager is for management, not CI/CD.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
AWS CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation is used to define infrastructure, not for continuous deployment.
✓
AWS CodePipeline
Why this is correct
CodePipeline can be triggered by ECR push and deploy to ECS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)
Why this is correct
ECR stores the Docker images and triggers events on push.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS)
Why this is correct
ECS runs the containers as services.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS Systems Manager
Why it's wrong here
Systems Manager is not typically used for CI/CD pipelines.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which SOA-C02 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.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS CodePipeline — Option A (Amazon ECR) is correct for storing Docker images. Option B (Amazon ECS) is correct for running containers. Option D (AWS CodePipeline) is correct for orchestrating the CI/CD pipeline triggered by ECR push. Option C is incorrect because CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not continuous deployment. Option E is incorrect because Systems Manager is for management, not CI/CD.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SOA-C02 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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