The answer is a Virtual Private Gateway and a Customer Gateway, as these two components form the fundamental endpoints for an AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection. The Virtual Private Gateway serves as the VPN concentrator on the AWS side of the VPC, while the Customer Gateway represents the physical or software-based router on the on-premises network, together establishing the encrypted and authenticated IPsec tunnel between the two environments. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the core building blocks for hybrid networking, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish the required components from optional ones like a Transit Gateway or unrelated services like an Internet Gateway. A common trap is confusing the Virtual Private Gateway with a Transit Gateway, but remember that the Transit Gateway is a hub for multiple VPCs and VPNs, not a direct requirement for a single Site-to-Site VPN tunnel. Memory tip: think of the Virtual Private Gateway as the AWS-side door and the Customer Gateway as the on-premises door—both are needed to lock the tunnel.
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. 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 VPN connection to an on-premises data center. They want to ensure that traffic between the VPC and on-premises is encrypted and authenticated. Which two components are required to establish the VPN tunnel?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Virtual Private Gateway and Customer Gateway
Option B is correct because a Virtual Private Gateway (VPG) is the AWS-side endpoint, and a Customer Gateway (CGW) represents the on-premises router. Option A (Internet Gateway) is for internet traffic. Option C (Direct Connect) is a different service. Option D (Transit Gateway) is optional.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 Direct Connect and Direct Connect Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is a dedicated connection, not VPN.
✓
Virtual Private Gateway and Customer Gateway
Why this is correct
VPG and CGW are the required endpoints for a VPN connection.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Transit Gateway can be used but is not required; VPG and CGW are the basic components.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related ANS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Virtual Private Gateway and Customer Gateway — Option B is correct because a Virtual Private Gateway (VPG) is the AWS-side endpoint, and a Customer Gateway (CGW) represents the on-premises router. Option A (Internet Gateway) is for internet traffic. Option C (Direct Connect) is a different service. Option D (Transit Gateway) is optional.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related ANS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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