The correct choice is to check the security group rules to ensure SSH (port 22) is allowed from the administrator's IP. This is the next logical step because the EC2 instance is already in a running state, meaning the issue is not with the instance lifecycle but with network-level access control. Security groups act as a virtual firewall for your instance, and if the inbound rule for SSH traffic is missing or restricted to the wrong source IP, the deployment script will fail to establish a connection even though the instance is healthy. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the OSI model’s network layer and common misconfigurations that break connectivity. A frequent trap is assuming the instance is stopped or the subnet is misconfigured when the real culprit is a missing or overly restrictive security group rule. Memory tip: “If it’s running but unreachable, check the firewall first—security groups are the gatekeepers.”
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.
Network Topology
A SysOps administrator wants to automate the deployment of an application to an EC2 instance. The instance is running, but the deployment script fails because the instance is not reachable via SSH. The administrator checks the instance state as shown in the exhibit. What should the administrator check NEXT to troubleshoot the SSH connectivity issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check the security group rules to ensure SSH (port 22) is allowed from the administrator's IP.
The correct answer is C because the instance is running, so the issue is likely network-related. Checking the security group rules ensures the correct inbound SSH rule exists. Option A is wrong because the instance is running, so no need to start it. Option B is wrong because the instance ID is correct. Option D is wrong because the subnet is likely correct if the instance is running.
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.
✓
Check the security group rules to ensure SSH (port 22) is allowed from the administrator's IP.
Why this is correct
Correct: Security groups control inbound traffic; lack of SSH rule prevents connectivity.
Verify the instance is in a public subnet with an internet gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: The subnet configuration is likely correct if the instance is running.
✗
Verify the instance ID is correct.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: The instance ID is correct.
✗
Check if the instance is in a stopped state.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: The instance is running (code 16).
Common exam traps
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.
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 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.
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: Check the security group rules to ensure SSH (port 22) is allowed from the administrator's IP. — The correct answer is C because the instance is running, so the issue is likely network-related. Checking the security group rules ensures the correct inbound SSH rule exists. Option A is wrong because the instance is running, so no need to start it. Option B is wrong because the instance ID is correct. Option D is wrong because the subnet is likely correct if the instance is running.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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