The correct answer is to create a new Lambda version and update the alias to gradually shift traffic from the old version to the new version using weighted routing. This approach achieves Lambda zero-downtime deployment with weighted aliases by allowing the alias to split invocations between two function versions, ensuring in-flight requests complete on the old code while new requests gradually route to the updated version. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of safe deployment strategies for serverless applications, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose to update the function code directly or create a new version without an alias. The key distinction is that Lambda aliases provide native traffic shifting, unlike canary deployments which require additional services like CodeDeploy. Remember the memory tip: “Alias routes, version hosts”—the alias controls the traffic split, while each version holds the code, so always pair a new version with a weighted alias for zero-downtime updates.
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 using Lambda functions to process data from an S3 bucket. The SysOps administrator needs to update the Lambda function code with a new version. The administrator wants to ensure that during the deployment, any in-flight requests are completed with the old code, and new requests use the new code. Which deployment strategy should the administrator use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a new Lambda version and update the alias to gradually shift traffic from the old version to the new version using weighted routing.
Option B is correct because Lambda aliases with weighted routing allow gradual traffic shifting. Option A is incorrect because updating the function directly immediately changes all invocations. Option C is incorrect because a new version can be created but without alias routing, all traffic goes to the new version. Option D is incorrect because canary deployments are not native to Lambda; weighted routing is the correct method.
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.
✗
Update the Lambda function code directly using the AWS CLI.
Why it's wrong here
Immediately updates all invocations; no gradual transition.
✗
Use AWS CodeDeploy with a canary deployment configuration on the Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy can deploy Lambda with canary, but this is still a form of weighted routing via aliases.
✗
Create a new Lambda function and update the S3 event notification to trigger the new function.
Why it's wrong here
This is a blue/green approach but requires manual traffic switch; no gradual shift.
✓
Create a new Lambda version and update the alias to gradually shift traffic from the old version to the new version using weighted routing.
Why this is correct
Weighted routing allows a percentage of traffic to go to the new version while old requests complete.
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 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
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: Create a new Lambda version and update the alias to gradually shift traffic from the old version to the new version using weighted routing. — Option B is correct because Lambda aliases with weighted routing allow gradual traffic shifting. Option A is incorrect because updating the function directly immediately changes all invocations. Option C is incorrect because a new version can be created but without alias routing, all traffic goes to the new version. Option D is incorrect because canary deployments are not native to Lambda; weighted routing is the correct method.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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