The correct answer is to use Run Command with a target based on the tag. This approach works because AWS Systems Manager Run Command is designed for immediate, one-time execution of scripts or commands across a fleet of instances, and it natively supports targeting instances by their resource tags, such as Environment: Production. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Systems Manager capabilities: Run Command for ad-hoc tasks, State Manager for scheduled configurations, Patch Manager for patching, and Automation for multi-step workflows. A common trap is confusing Run Command with State Manager, but remember that State Manager enforces a desired state over time, while Run Command fires once and forgets. For a quick memory tip, think “Run Command = Run Once, Tag Target” to recall that it executes immediately on tagged instances without recurring logic.
SOA-C02 Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and automation. 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.
An organization uses AWS Systems Manager to manage a fleet of EC2 instances. The SysOps administrator needs to run a script on all instances that have a specific tag (Environment: Production). The script must be executed immediately and only once. Which approach should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Run Command with a target based on the tag.
The correct answer is D because Run Command allows immediate execution of commands on targeted instances by tag. Option A is incorrect because State Manager is for recurring configurations. Option C is incorrect because Patch Manager is for patching. Option B is incorrect because Automation is for multi-step workflows, not simple script execution.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use Patch Manager to apply the script as a patch baseline.
Why it's wrong here
Patch Manager is for OS patches, not custom scripts.
✗
Create an Automation document and execute it.
Why it's wrong here
Automation is for complex workflows, not simple script run.
✓
Use Run Command with a target based on the tag.
Why this is correct
Run Command can target instances by tag and execute immediately.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Create a State Manager association with the script.
Why it's wrong here
State Manager runs on a schedule, not immediately once.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SOA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Run Command with a target based on the tag. — The correct answer is D because Run Command allows immediate execution of commands on targeted instances by tag. Option A is incorrect because State Manager is for recurring configurations. Option C is incorrect because Patch Manager is for patching. Option B is incorrect because Automation is for multi-step workflows, not simple script execution.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SOA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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