- A
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: DataSync transfers data to and from AWS — it's for migration and synchronization, not for providing ongoing hybrid storage access to applications using NFS/SMB.
- B
AWS Direct Connect
Why wrong: Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection to AWS — it doesn't provide an on-premises storage access layer for applications.
- C
AWS Storage Gateway
Storage Gateway bridges on-premises and AWS storage — File Gateway presents S3 as NFS/SMB, Volume Gateway provides iSCSI block storage, and Tape Gateway replaces physical tape.
- D
Amazon FSx
Why wrong: FSx provides cloud-native managed file systems (Windows, Lustre, NetApp ONTAP, OpenZFS) — Storage Gateway specifically provides the hybrid on-premises-to-cloud storage bridge.
Question 818 of 1,024
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.
Which AWS service provides a hybrid cloud storage solution that allows on-premises applications to seamlessly access data stored in AWS cloud storage using standard file protocols?
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
AWS Storage Gateway provides a hybrid cloud storage solution by offering on-premises appliances that expose standard file protocols (NFS, SMB) to local applications, while storing data durably in Amazon S3 or Amazon EBS. This allows seamless access to AWS cloud storage without modifying existing workflows, as the gateway caches frequently accessed data locally and asynchronously transfers data to the cloud.
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 DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync transfers data to and from AWS — it's for migration and synchronization, not for providing ongoing hybrid storage access to applications using NFS/SMB.
- ✗
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection to AWS — it doesn't provide an on-premises storage access layer for applications.
- ✓
AWS Storage Gateway
Why this is correct
Storage Gateway bridges on-premises and AWS storage — File Gateway presents S3 as NFS/SMB, Volume Gateway provides iSCSI block storage, and Tape Gateway replaces physical tape.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon FSx
Why it's wrong here
FSx provides cloud-native managed file systems (Windows, Lustre, NetApp ONTAP, OpenZFS) — Storage Gateway specifically provides the hybrid on-premises-to-cloud storage bridge.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS DataSync (a transfer tool) with Storage Gateway (a hybrid storage appliance), because both involve moving data to AWS, but DataSync lacks the on-premises file protocol access and local caching that define a hybrid storage solution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Storage Gateway File Gateway mode mounts an NFS or SMB share on-premises, using a local cache (SSD or HDD) to reduce latency for active data, while all data is eventually stored as objects in S3 with optional lifecycle policies. A subtle behavior is that the gateway uses a proprietary sync protocol to maintain cache coherency, and file metadata (e.g., timestamps, permissions) is preserved via S3 object tags. In a real-world scenario, a media production company can use File Gateway to let on-premises editors access S3-backed storage via SMB, while the gateway handles uploads in the background.
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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.
- →
Cloud Technology and Services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Cloud Technology and Services practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CLF-C02 questions
1,024 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CLF-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CLF-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Cloud Concepts practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Cloud Concepts.
Security and Compliance practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Security and Compliance.
Cloud Technology and Services practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Cloud Technology and Services.
Billing, Pricing, and Support practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Billing, Pricing, and Support.
AWS shared responsibility model practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS shared responsibility model.
AWS IAM practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS IAM.
AWS pricing practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS pricing.
AWS support plans practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS support plans.
AWS S3 practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS S3.
AWS EC2 practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS EC2.
Practice this exam
Start a free CLF-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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 — AWS Storage Gateway provides a hybrid cloud storage solution by offering on-premises appliances that expose standard file protocols (NFS, SMB) to local applications, while storing data durably in Amazon S3 or Amazon EBS. This allows seamless access to AWS cloud storage without modifying existing workflows, as the gateway caches frequently accessed data locally and asynchronously transfers data to the cloud.
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 →
Keep practising
More CLF-C02 practice questions
- A company publishes a message each time a new product is added to its catalogue. Three services need to receive this mes…
- A media company stores frequently accessed video thumbnails in Amazon S3. The thumbnails are read multiple times every d…
- A company needs a service to translate domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses, check the health of their…
- A startup runs an application on AWS and receives a monthly bill that charges exactly for the number of compute hours us…
- A financial institution runs its core banking application on-premises due to regulatory requirements. It has connected i…
- A company wants to run a MySQL database in AWS without managing database software installation, applying patches, settin…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.