The answer is a health check path in the AppSpec file that is invalid for the previous application version. This is the root cause because when CodeDeploy performs a rollback due to a health check failure, it redeploys the last known good version using the same deployment configuration, including the same health check path defined in the AppSpec file. If that path—for example, `/new-endpoint`—exists only in the new version and not in the old one, the rollback deployment’s health checks will also fail, causing the rollback itself to fail. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how CodeDeploy’s health check configuration is tied to the application version, not the infrastructure. A common trap is assuming the rollback automatically fixes health issues, but it only reverts the code, not the validation criteria. Memory tip: “Rollback reuses the same check—if the old app lacks the path, it’s a wreck.”
SOA-C02 Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 web application on EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer. The deployment uses AWS CodeDeploy with an in-place update. During a deployment, the new application version fails health checks, and CodeDeploy automatically rolls back. However, the rollback also fails. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The health check path specified in the AppSpec file is not valid for the previous application version.
Option D is correct because if the health check configuration in the CodeDeploy AppSpec file points to a path that is not valid in the previous version, the rollback will also fail health checks. Option A is incorrect because insufficient capacity would cause a different error. Option B is incorrect because CodeDeploy does not use Elastic Beanstalk. Option C is incorrect because the issue is with health checks, not with the agent.
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.
✗
The Auto Scaling group's minimum size is too low for a rollback.
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient capacity would cause a different error, not health check failure.
✗
The load balancer is configured with an incorrect target group for the Elastic Beanstalk environment.
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy does not use Elastic Beanstalk.
✗
The CodeDeploy agent on the EC2 instances is not running the latest version.
Why it's wrong here
The issue is with health checks, not with the agent version.
✓
The health check path specified in the AppSpec file is not valid for the previous application version.
Why this is correct
If the health check path is not valid for the previous version, the rollback will also fail health checks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 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
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 SOA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The health check path specified in the AppSpec file is not valid for the previous application version. — Option D is correct because if the health check configuration in the CodeDeploy AppSpec file points to a path that is not valid in the previous version, the rollback will also fail health checks. Option A is incorrect because insufficient capacity would cause a different error. Option B is incorrect because CodeDeploy does not use Elastic Beanstalk. Option C is incorrect because the issue is with health checks, not with the agent.
What should I do if I get this SOA-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 SOA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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