The answer is to enable VPC Flow Logs on the central VPC and publish them to Amazon CloudWatch Logs. This is the most operationally efficient solution because VPC Flow Logs capture all IP traffic entering and leaving the network interfaces in the central VPC, including traffic routed through the NAT gateway, thereby providing complete centralized outbound internet logging. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between network-level logging and service-specific logging; a common trap is choosing NAT gateway flow logs, which only log traffic passing through the gateway itself, missing traffic that bypasses it. CloudTrail is another distractor, as it logs API calls, not network packets. For a memory tip, remember that VPC Flow Logs are your “full-packet window” for all internet-bound traffic, while NAT gateway logs are just a “peephole” into that gateway’s specific path.
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. 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 a hybrid network with multiple VPCs connected via a Transit Gateway. They want to centralize outbound internet traffic through a single VPC with a NAT gateway. The security team requires that all traffic to the internet must be logged. Which solution is MOST operationally efficient?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable VPC Flow Logs on the central VPC and publish to Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Option C is correct because VPC Flow Logs capture all IP traffic and can be published to CloudWatch Logs for analysis. Option A is incorrect because it only captures traffic through the NATgateway, not all internet-bound traffic. Option B is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail logs API calls, not network traffic. Option D is incorrect because it adds complexity and is not necessary.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs on the NAT gateway's subnet and publish to Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
Flow Logs on the subnet capture all traffic, not just through the NATgateway.
✓
Enable VPC Flow Logs on the central VPC and publish to Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Deploy a third-party firewall appliance in the central VPC and enable logging
Why it's wrong here
Adds complexity and is not needed.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log all network events
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs API calls, not network traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Network Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable VPC Flow Logs on the central VPC and publish to Amazon CloudWatch Logs — Option C is correct because VPC Flow Logs capture all IP traffic and can be published to CloudWatch Logs for analysis. Option A is incorrect because it only captures traffic through the NAT gateway, not all internet-bound traffic. Option B is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail logs API calls, not network traffic. Option D is incorrect because it adds complexity and is not necessary.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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