The correct two steps are to install and configure the CloudWatch agent on the Windows EC2 instances to collect disk space metrics, and then create a CloudWatch dashboard to visualize that data. This is necessary because default EC2 monitoring only captures hypervisor-level metrics like CPU and network I/O, not guest OS-level metrics such as disk space utilization. The CloudWatch agent bridges this gap by running inside the Windows instance and reporting custom metrics like LogicalDisk % Free Space to CloudWatch. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between basic monitoring and detailed OS-level monitoring, a common trap being that many candidates mistakenly assume standard EC2 metrics include disk space. A helpful memory tip: remember that the CloudWatch agent is your "eyes inside the guest OS," while the EC2 hypervisor only sees the outside of the virtual machine.
SOA-C02 Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging, and remediation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 needs to monitor the disk space utilization on a fleet of EC2 instances running Windows Server. Which TWO steps should the administrator take to collect and visualize this data? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install the CloudWatch agent on each EC2 instance to collect disk space metrics.
The CloudWatch agent is required to collect custom metrics like disk space utilization from EC2 instances running Windows Server. Default EC2 monitoring only collects hypervisor-level metrics (CPU, network, disk I/O), not guest OS metrics such as disk space. Installing the CloudWatch agent and configuring it to collect disk space metrics is the correct step. Creating a CloudWatch dashboard then allows visualization of those collected metrics.
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.
✗
Enable detailed monitoring on the EC2 instances.
Why it's wrong here
Detailed monitoring provides 1-minute metrics for CPU, network, and disk I/O, but not disk space.
✓
Install the CloudWatch agent on each EC2 instance to collect disk space metrics.
Why this is correct
The CloudWatch agent can collect custom metrics like disk space.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to log disk space changes.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail records API calls, not system metrics.
✗
Enable default EC2 monitoring to collect disk space metrics automatically.
Why it's wrong here
Default monitoring does not include disk space.
✓
Create a CloudWatch dashboard to visualize the disk space metrics.
Why this is correct
CloudWatch dashboards can display custom metrics collected by the agent.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume default or detailed EC2 monitoring includes guest OS metrics like disk space, when in fact those metrics require the CloudWatch agent to be installed and configured on the instance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The CloudWatch agent uses the Windows Performance Counters or WMI to collect disk space metrics such as 'LogicalDisk % Free Space' and 'LogicalDisk Free Megabytes'. The agent sends these metrics to CloudWatch as custom metrics, which incur additional charges. A CloudWatch dashboard can then display these metrics using widgets like the 'Number' or 'Line' widget, with optional alarm thresholds for proactive monitoring.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation — This question tests Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install the CloudWatch agent on each EC2 instance to collect disk space metrics. — The CloudWatch agent is required to collect custom metrics like disk space utilization from EC2 instances running Windows Server. Default EC2 monitoring only collects hypervisor-level metrics (CPU, network, disk I/O), not guest OS metrics such as disk space. Installing the CloudWatch agent and configuring it to collect disk space metrics is the correct step. Creating a CloudWatch dashboard then allows visualization of those collected metrics.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A SysOps administrator needs to monitor the disk space usage on an EC2 instance running Windows Server. Which actions are required to collect this metric? (Select TWO.)
easy
A.Install the CloudWatch Logs agent to monitor disk usage logs.
B.Enable EC2 status checks to monitor disk health.
C.Use Windows Performance Monitor to track disk space and send to CloudWatch.
✓ D.Create an IAM role with permissions to publish custom metrics and attach it to the instance.
✓ E.Install the CloudWatch agent on the instance and configure it to collect disk metrics.
Why D: Option D is correct because the CloudWatch agent requires permissions to publish custom metrics to CloudWatch. An IAM role with the appropriate policy (e.g., CloudWatchAgentServerPolicy) must be attached to the EC2 instance to allow the agent to send disk space metrics. Option E is correct because the CloudWatch agent must be installed and configured with a JSON configuration file that includes the "disk" section to collect disk space utilization metrics, which are not available by default from EC2.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SOA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SOA-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.