This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. 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 VPC with a public subnet and a private subnet. An EC2 instance in the private subnet needs to download patches from an S3 bucket in the same region. The company wants to minimize data transfer costs and avoid traversing the internet. Which solution should the company implement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a VPC Gateway Endpoint for S3 and attach it to the private subnet's route table.
Option B is correct because a VPC Gateway Endpoint for S3 allows private connectivity to S3 without internet, reducing costs. Option A is wrong because a NAT Gateway incurs costs and uses internet. Option C is wrong because a VPC Interface Endpoint for S3 is also charged per hour and per GB. Option D is wrong because an S3 bucket policy does not provide connectivity.
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.
✗
Create a VPC Interface Endpoint for S3 and attach it to the private subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Interface Endpoint incurs hourly charges and data processing fees.
✗
Configure an S3 bucket policy to allow access from the VPC and use an Internet Gateway.
Why it's wrong here
This would still require internet route and does not minimize cost.
✓
Create a VPC Gateway Endpoint for S3 and attach it to the private subnet's route table.
Why this is correct
Gateway Endpoint is free and provides private connectivity to S3.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Create a NAT Gateway in the public subnet and route traffic to the S3 bucket through it.
Why it's wrong here
NATGateway incurs charges and uses internet, not minimizing cost.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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 Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a VPC Gateway Endpoint for S3 and attach it to the private subnet's route table. — Option B is correct because a VPC Gateway Endpoint for S3 allows private connectivity to S3 without internet, reducing costs. Option A is wrong because a NAT Gateway incurs costs and uses internet. Option C is wrong because a VPC Interface Endpoint for S3 is also charged per hour and per GB. Option D is wrong because an S3 bucket policy does not provide connectivity.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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