The answer is to use CloudWatch to monitor the EC2 instance and trigger a Systems Manager Automation document to perform the reboot. This combination is correct because CloudWatch can detect an unresponsive instance by monitoring EC2 status check failures, and when the alarm enters the ALARM state, it can directly invoke a pre-built Systems Manager Automation document—specifically the AWS-RebootInstance document—to automatically reboot the instance without any custom code or Lambda functions. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of managed remediation workflows, often appearing as a question asking you to select two services that minimize custom scripting. A common trap is choosing a Lambda function or a custom script, but the exam emphasizes using built-in AWS managed services. Remember the memory tip: “Alarm triggers Automation, not Lambda” to avoid overcomplicating the solution.
SOA-C02 Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging, and remediation. 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 wants to automatically remediate an Amazon EC2 instance that becomes unresponsive by rebooting it. The solution should use AWS managed services to minimize custom code. Which combination should a SysOps administrator use? (Choose TWO.)
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon CloudWatch alarm on EC2 status check failures
Option B is correct because Amazon CloudWatch can monitor EC2 status check failures (both system and instance checks) and trigger an alarm. When the alarm enters the ALARM state, it can directly invoke an AWS Systems Manager Automation document to reboot the instance, which is a managed, code-free remediation approach. This combination minimizes custom code by using built-in AWS services.
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.
✗
Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling and lifecycle hooks
Why it's wrong here
Lifecycle hooks are for scaling events, not rebooting.
✓
Amazon CloudWatch alarm on EC2 status check failures
Why this is correct
Status checks detect unresponsive instances.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Amazon CloudWatch alarm and AWS Lambda function
Why it's wrong here
Lambda requires custom code; Systems Manager Automation is a managed solution.
✗
Amazon EventBridge rule to trigger an SNS notification
Why it's wrong here
SNS notification alone does not perform remediation.
✓
AWS Systems Manager Automation document to reboot the instance
Why this is correct
Systems Manager Automation can perform a reboot without custom code.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
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 often choose Option C (CloudWatch alarm + Lambda) because it is a common pattern, but the question explicitly requires minimizing custom code, making the managed Systems Manager Automation document the correct choice over a custom Lambda function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EC2 status checks are performed every minute by the hypervisor to verify instance health: system status checks detect AWS-side issues (e.g., loss of network connectivity), while instance status checks detect OS-level problems (e.g., failed memory checks). A CloudWatch alarm on StatusCheckFailed (metric) can be set with a period of 60 seconds and an evaluation period of 1 or 2 to quickly detect failures. The Systems Manager Automation document 'AWS-RebootEC2Instance' is a pre-built runbook that reboots the instance without requiring any custom scripts or Lambda functions.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Amazon CloudWatch alarm on EC2 status check failures — Option B is correct because Amazon CloudWatch can monitor EC2 status check failures (both system and instance checks) and trigger an alarm. When the alarm enters the ALARM state, it can directly invoke an AWS Systems Manager Automation document to reboot the instance, which is a managed, code-free remediation approach. This combination minimizes custom code by using built-in AWS services.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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