- A
AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway
Correct. File Gateway provides an on-premises file share that caches active data locally and stores all data durably in Amazon S3. It supports SMB protocol, enabling existing applications to access the cloud storage seamlessly while maintaining low latency for frequently used files.
- B
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Why wrong: Incorrect. Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a fully managed native Windows file system in the cloud, but it does not provide on-premises caching. It is designed for use within AWS or via VPN/Direct Connect, but access from on-premises typically has higher latency than a local cache, and it does not reduce the on-premises storage footprint directly.
- C
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: Incorrect. AWS DataSync is a data transfer service used for moving large amounts of data between on-premises storage and AWS. It does not provide continuous file serving or local caching, so it is not suitable for low-latency access to frequently used files.
- D
Amazon S3 with AWS Direct Connect
Why wrong: Incorrect. While AWS Direct Connect provides a private network connection to AWS, Amazon S3 is an object storage service and does not natively support the SMB protocol. To serve files to on-premises applications over SMB, additional software (e.g., a file gateway or a file server in the cloud) would be required. This combination does not fulfill the need for a simple file share with local caching.
Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway. This service is the correct choice because it enables hybrid cloud storage by caching frequently accessed files locally on-premises for low-latency access via the standard SMB protocol, while all data—including cold data—is durably stored in Amazon S3, directly reducing the on-premises storage footprint. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of hybrid cloud storage patterns and the specific use case for File Gateway, which is often confused with Volume Gateway or Tape Gateway. A common trap is selecting Amazon FSx for Windows File Server, but that is a fully managed native Windows file system in the cloud, not a hybrid caching solution. Remember the key distinction: File Gateway is a bridge that keeps hot data local and cold data in S3, making it ideal for SMB-based file shares that need both low latency and cost-efficient offsite storage. Memory tip: think “File Gateway = local cache + S3 store for SMB.”
CLF-C02 Cloud Technology and Services Practice Question
This CLF-C02 practice question tests your understanding of cloud technology and services. 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 has an on-premises file server that stores large datasets. The company wants to reduce its on-premises storage footprint by moving cold data to AWS. However, users need low-latency access to frequently used files, and the applications must be able to access the data using the standard SMB protocol. The company wants to cache frequently accessed data locally on-premises for low latency, while securely storing all data in Amazon S3. Which AWS service should the company use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway
AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway is the correct choice because it provides on-premises caching of frequently accessed files for low-latency access via the standard SMB protocol, while all data is stored durably in Amazon S3. This directly meets the requirement to reduce on-premises storage footprint by moving cold data to AWS, while keeping hot data cached locally for performance.
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.
- ✓
AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway
Why this is correct
Correct. File Gateway provides an on-premises file share that caches active data locally and stores all data durably in Amazon S3. It supports SMB protocol, enabling existing applications to access the cloud storage seamlessly while maintaining low latency for frequently used files.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a fully managed native Windows file system in the cloud, but it does not provide on-premises caching. It is designed for use within AWS or via VPN/Direct Connect, but access from on-premises typically has higher latency than a local cache, and it does not reduce the on-premises storage footprint directly.
- ✗
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. AWS DataSync is a data transfer service used for moving large amounts of data between on-premises storage and AWS. It does not provide continuous file serving or local caching, so it is not suitable for low-latency access to frequently used files.
- ✗
Amazon S3 with AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While AWS Direct Connect provides a private network connection to AWS, Amazon S3 is an object storage service and does not natively support the SMB protocol. To serve files to on-premises applications over SMB, additional software (e.g., a file gateway or a file server in the cloud) would be required. This combination does not fulfill the need for a simple file share with local caching.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse AWS DataSync (a transfer tool) with a storage service that provides ongoing local caching and SMB access, or assume Amazon FSx for Windows File Server can be deployed on-premises when it is a cloud-only service.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
File Gateway uses a local cache (typically on SSDs) to store recently accessed file metadata and data chunks, serving reads from cache for low latency while asynchronously uploading writes to S3. It supports SMB protocol versions 2.0 and 3.0, and integrates with Active Directory for authentication. A real-world scenario is a media production company that needs fast access to current project files on-premises but archives completed projects to S3 for cost savings.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CLF-C02 question test?
Cloud Technology and Services — This question tests Cloud Technology and Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway — AWS Storage Gateway File Gateway is the correct choice because it provides on-premises caching of frequently accessed files for low-latency access via the standard SMB protocol, while all data is stored durably in Amazon S3. This directly meets the requirement to reduce on-premises storage footprint by moving cold data to AWS, while keeping hot data cached locally for performance.
What should I do if I get this CLF-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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CLF-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 CLF-C02 exam.
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