Quick Answer
The correct choice is the rolling with an additional batch deployment policy because it launches a fresh set of instances in a new batch before terminating any existing ones, ensuring that full capacity is maintained throughout the update. This approach directly minimizes downtime by never reducing the total number of running instances below the environment’s desired count, as the extra batch absorbs traffic while old instances are cycled out. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between deployment policies that prioritize availability versus cost; a common trap is confusing this with a standard rolling update, which temporarily reduces capacity. Remember the key distinction: “rolling with an additional batch” adds before it removes, while a plain rolling update removes before it adds. A useful memory tip is to think “extra buffer, zero blip”—the additional batch acts as a safety net to prevent any service interruption.
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 uses AWS Elastic Beanstalk to deploy a web application. The environment needs to be updated with a new application version. The SysOps administrator wants to minimize downtime during the deployment. Which deployment policy should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Rolling based on health
Why wrong: Does not add extra instances, so capacity is reduced during update.
Rolling with an additional batch
Adds extra instances before terminating old ones, minimizing downtime.
Immutable
Why wrong: Minimizes downtime but is more expensive; rolling with additional batch is the best balance.
All at once
Why wrong: Causes downtime as all instances are updated simultaneously.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Rolling with an additional batch
Option D is correct because a rolling update with an additional batch creates new instances before terminating old ones, minimizing downtime. Option A is incorrect because all-at-once causes downtime. Option B is incorrect because immutable deployments create a full new set of instances, which can be costly but also minimizes downtime, but rolling with additional batch is more cost-effective. Option C is incorrect because rolling update based on health does not add extra instances, so there is a brief period with reduced capacity.
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.
Rolling based on health
Why it's wrong here
Does not add extra instances, so capacity is reduced during update.
Rolling with an additional batch
Why this is correct
Adds extra instances before terminating old ones, minimizing downtime.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Immutable
Why it's wrong here
Minimizes downtime but is more expensive; rolling with additional batch is the best balance.
All at once
Why it's wrong here
Causes downtime as all instances are updated simultaneously.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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 SOA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Rolling with an additional batch — Option D is correct because a rolling update with an additional batch creates new instances before terminating old ones, minimizing downtime. Option A is incorrect because all-at-once causes downtime. Option B is incorrect because immutable deployments create a full new set of instances, which can be costly but also minimizes downtime, but rolling with additional batch is more cost-effective. Option C is incorrect because rolling update based on health does not add extra instances, so there is a brief period with reduced capacity.
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.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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