The answer is Network Load Balancer (NLB). This is the correct choice because an NLB operates at Layer 4 of the OSI model, handling TCP and UDP traffic with ultra-high performance and ultra-low latency, while also providing a static IP address per Availability Zone. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between AWS load balancer types, specifically that only the NLB offers static IPs and Layer 4 capabilities, whereas the Application Load Balancer (ALB) works at Layer 7 with dynamic IPs. A common trap is confusing ALB’s HTTP/HTTPS focus with NLB’s raw TCP/UDP throughput; remember that if a scenario mentions fixed IPs for whitelisting or DNS stability, it is always the NLB. For a memory tip, think “NLB = Network = Layer 4 = No IP change” to recall that static IPs are a defining feature of the Network Load Balancer.
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 is deploying a multi-tier application on AWS. Which AWS service provides layer 4 (TCP/UDP) load balancing with ultra-high performance and static IP addresses?
Why wrong: ALB operates at Layer 7 (HTTP/HTTPS) for content-based routing — it doesn't support Layer 4 TCP/UDP or provide static IP addresses.
B
Network Load Balancer (NLB)
NLB operates at Layer 4 with ultra-low latency, supporting millions of requests per second, static Elastic IP addresses per AZ, and preservation of client source IP.
C
Gateway Load Balancer (GWLB)
Why wrong: Gateway Load Balancer routes traffic through third-party network appliances (firewalls, IDS/IPS) — it's not for general application load balancing.
D
Classic Load Balancer
Why wrong: Classic Load Balancer is legacy and doesn't provide the ultra-high performance or static IP capabilities of NLB.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Network Load Balancer (NLB)
Network Load Balancer (NLB) operates at Layer 4 (TCP/UDP) and is designed to handle millions of requests per second with ultra-low latency. It provides static IP addresses per Availability Zone, which is essential for applications requiring fixed endpoints for whitelisting or DNS stability.
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.
✗
Application Load Balancer (ALB)
Why it's wrong here
ALB operates at Layer 7 (HTTP/HTTPS) for content-based routing — it doesn't support Layer 4 TCP/UDP or provide static IP addresses.
✓
Network Load Balancer (NLB)
Why this is correct
NLB operates at Layer 4 with ultra-low latency, supporting millions of requests per second, static Elastic IP addresses per AZ, and preservation of client source IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Gateway Load Balancer (GWLB)
Why it's wrong here
GatewayLoad Balancer routes traffic through third-party network appliances (firewalls, IDS/IPS) — it's not for general application load balancing.
✗
Classic Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
Classic Load Balancer is legacy and doesn't provide the ultra-high performance or static IP capabilities of NLB.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse ALB's Layer 7 features with NLB's Layer 4 capabilities, or assume Classic Load Balancer still provides static IPs, but only NLB offers both Layer 4 operation and static IP addresses for ultra-high performance scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NLB uses a flow hash routing algorithm based on protocol, source IP, source port, destination IP, destination port, and TCP sequence number to ensure consistent routing to a single target per connection. It supports Elastic IPs per Availability Zone, enabling static IP addresses that can be used for whitelisting in firewall rules or for applications requiring a fixed endpoint, such as when integrating with on-premises systems via Direct Connect or VPN.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CLF-C02 question in full detail.
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: Network Load Balancer (NLB) — Network Load Balancer (NLB) operates at Layer 4 (TCP/UDP) and is designed to handle millions of requests per second with ultra-low latency. It provides static IP addresses per Availability Zone, which is essential for applications requiring fixed endpoints for whitelisting or DNS stability.
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.
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Question Discussion
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