Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon CloudWatch and AWS Systems Manager. CloudWatch is the primary service for monitoring EC2 performance, providing essential metrics like CPU utilization, network throughput, and disk I/O directly from the hypervisor. Systems Manager complements this by collecting in-guest performance data through Inventory and Run Command, allowing you to capture custom metrics such as memory usage or disk space that CloudWatch cannot see by default. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this distinction is critical: CloudWatch handles the “what” of performance (e.g., CPU spikes), while Systems Manager handles the “how” of deeper, OS-level monitoring. A common trap is confusing AWS Config (which tracks configuration changes, not performance) or CloudTrail (which logs API calls) with actual performance monitoring. Remember the mnemonic “CloudWatch for the watch, Systems Manager for the manager” — CloudWatch watches the instance’s vital signs from outside, and Systems Manager manages the internal health checks.
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of cost and performance optimization. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which TWO AWS services can be used to monitor the performance of an EC2 instance?
AWS Systems Manager
Systems Manager can collect performance data.
AWS CloudTrail
Why wrong: CloudTrail records API calls.
AWS Trusted Advisor
Why wrong: Trusted Advisor gives optimization recommendations.
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config monitors configuration changes.
Amazon CloudWatch
CloudWatch provides performance metrics.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Systems Manager
Options B and D are correct. CloudWatch provides metrics like CPU utilization. Systems Manager can collect performance data via Inventory and Run Command. AWS Config tracks configuration, not performance. Trusted Advisor gives recommendations. CloudTrail is for API activity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Systems Manager
Why this is correct
Systems Manager can collect performance data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail records API calls.
AWS Trusted Advisor
Why it's wrong here
Trusted Advisor gives optimization recommendations.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
Config monitors configuration changes.
Amazon CloudWatch
Why this is correct
CloudWatch provides performance metrics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which SOA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Cost and Performance Optimization — study guide chapter
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Cost and Performance Optimization practice questions
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FAQ
Cost and Performance Optimization — This question tests Cost and Performance Optimization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Systems Manager — Options B and D are correct. CloudWatch provides metrics like CPU utilization. Systems Manager can collect performance data via Inventory and Run Command. AWS Config tracks configuration, not performance. Trusted Advisor gives recommendations. CloudTrail is for API activity.
Identify which SOA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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