The answer is an outdated AMI, as the cloud-init script fails because the package repository URLs referenced in the Amazon Linux 2 AMI are no longer valid. When an AMI becomes obsolete, its configured repositories are often deprecated or removed, causing cloud-init to fail when attempting to install or update packages during instance boot, which then prevents the instance from passing the EC2 health check. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how AMI lifecycle management directly impacts Auto Scaling launch success, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly blame user data scripts or IAM roles. A common trap is overlooking that an outdated AMI, not the launch template version, breaks repository access. Memory tip: “Old AMI, no repo key” — if cloud-init fails with a missing repo, check the AMI’s age first.
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 SysOps administrator is troubleshooting a failed Auto Scaling group launch. The group uses a launch template that specifies an Amazon Linux 2 AMI. The instances fail to pass the EC2 health check and are terminated. The administrator checks the system log and finds that the instance boots but the cloud-init script fails due to a missing package repository. 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.
The launch template is using an incorrect version.
Why wrong: The version number does not affect repository availability.
B
The IAM instance profile does not have sufficient permissions.
Why wrong: IAM permissions affect API calls, not package repository access.
C
The Auto Scaling group is in a private subnet without a NAT gateway.
Why wrong: Missing internet access could cause repo failures, but the scenario says instances boot and cloud-init runs, so it's likely not a network issue.
D
The AMI used by the launch template is outdated and the repositories are no longer valid.
Outdated AMIs have deprecated repo URLs, causing cloud-init to fail.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The AMI used by the launch template is outdated and the repositories are no longer valid.
If the AMI is outdated, the package repository URLs may be deprecated, causing cloud-init failures. The launch template version is not directly related to repository access. User data script problems could cause failures but the log points to a missing repository, which is often due to an outdated AMI. IAM role issues would affect API calls, not package repos.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 launch template is using an incorrect version.
Why it's wrong here
The version number does not affect repository availability.
✗
The IAM instance profile does not have sufficient permissions.
Why it's wrong here
IAM permissions affect API calls, not package repository access.
✗
The Auto Scaling group is in a private subnet without a NAT gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Missing internet access could cause repo failures, but the scenario says instances boot and cloud-init runs, so it's likely not a network issue.
✓
The AMI used by the launch template is outdated and the repositories are no longer valid.
Why this is correct
Outdated AMIs have deprecated repo URLs, causing cloud-init to fail.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Missing internet access could cause repo failures, but the scenario says instances boot and cloud-init runs, so it's likely not a network issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The AMI used by the launch template is outdated and the repositories are no longer valid. — If the AMI is outdated, the package repository URLs may be deprecated, causing cloud-init failures. The launch template version is not directly related to repository access. User data script problems could cause failures but the log points to a missing repository, which is often due to an outdated AMI. IAM role issues would affect API calls, not package repos.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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