The correct next step is to run a traceroute from an on-premises device to an EC2 instance in the VPC. This is because traceroute reveals the exact hop where packets are being dropped or delayed along the Direct Connect path, isolating whether the loss occurs on the on-premises side, the AWS Direct Connect link, or within the VPC. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between monitoring tools: CloudWatch metrics confirm link health but not per-hop performance, while traceroute directly addresses the search intent to troubleshoot packet loss on Direct Connect. A common trap is assuming BGP status or VPC Flow Logs will show packet loss, but BGP only verifies routing adjacency, and Flow Logs capture metadata, not dropped packets on the physical link. Memory tip: Think of traceroute as a “hop-by-hop flashlight” — it lights up exactly where the packet loss is hiding.
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 a Direct Connect connection with a private VIF to a VPC. The network team notices intermittent packet loss on the link. CloudWatch metrics show no errors on the connection. What should the team do next to isolate the issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run a traceroute from an on-premises device to an EC2 instance in the VPC.
Option D is correct because running traceroute from an on-premises device to an instance in the VPC helps identify where packets are being dropped. Option A is wrong because increasing bandwidth does not fix packet loss. Option B is wrong because BGP status shows routing adjacency but not packet loss. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs show traffic metadata but not packet loss on the Direct Connect link.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Run a traceroute from an on-premises device to an EC2 instance in the VPC.
Why this is correct
Traceroute helps pinpoint where packet loss occurs along the path.
Check the BGP session status on the customer router.
Why it's wrong here
BGP status indicates routing adjacency, not packet loss on the link.
✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs on the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
Flow Logs show traffic patterns but not packet loss on the physical link.
✗
Increase the bandwidth of the Direct Connect connection.
Why it's wrong here
Bandwidth increase does not resolve intermittent packet loss.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Flow Logs show traffic patterns but not packet loss on the physical link.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related ANS-C01 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Network Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run a traceroute from an on-premises device to an EC2 instance in the VPC. — Option D is correct because running traceroute from an on-premises device to an instance in the VPC helps identify where packets are being dropped. Option A is wrong because increasing bandwidth does not fix packet loss. Option B is wrong because BGP status shows routing adjacency but not packet loss. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs show traffic metadata but not packet loss on the Direct Connect link.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related ANS-C01 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Question Discussion
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