- A
Create an interface VPC endpoint for SQS in each private subnet.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Interface Endpoints are for services that don't support Gateway Endpoints; SQS does support Gateway Endpoints which are more cost-effective.
- B
Create a gateway VPC endpoint for SQS in the VPC and update the route tables for the private subnets to include a route for the SQS prefix list pointing to the endpoint.
Correct: Gateway Endpoints keep traffic within AWS and are free of charge.
- C
Set up an AWS Direct Connect connection to route SQS traffic directly.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Direct Connect is for on-premises connectivity, not for VPC services.
- D
Modify the network ACLs and security groups to allow traffic to SQS without going through the NAT gateway.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Security groups and NACLs do not influence routing; they only filter traffic.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a gateway VPC endpoint for SQS and update the private subnet route tables with a route for the SQS prefix list pointing to that endpoint. This works because a VPC Gateway Endpoint uses prefix lists and route table entries to direct SQS traffic over the AWS private network, completely bypassing the NAT gateways and eliminating data transfer costs. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of when to use Gateway Endpoints versus Interface Endpoints—a common trap is assuming SQS requires an Interface Endpoint, but SQS supports Gateway Endpoints, which are free and keep traffic within the AWS backbone. The key insight for cost reduction is that NAT gateways charge per gigabyte processed, while Gateway Endpoints incur no hourly or data processing fees. Memory tip: Gateway Endpoints are for services like S3 and DynamoDB—and SQS—that need bulk, low-cost access from private subnets without leaving the AWS network.
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 multiple subnets across three Availability Zones. The VPC contains an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances that process messages from an SQS queue. The instances are deployed in private subnets and need to access the SQS queue over the internet. The company wants to minimize data transfer costs and improve security by keeping traffic within the AWS network. The VPC has a NAT gateway in each AZ for outbound internet access. The network team has configured the route tables for the private subnets to send 0.0.0.0/0 traffic to the NAT gateway in the same AZ. However, the team notices that the EC2 instances are still using the NAT gateways to reach SQS, resulting in higher costs. What should the team do to ensure traffic to SQS stays within the AWS network?
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 choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a gateway VPC endpoint for SQS in the VPC and update the route tables for the private subnets to include a route for the SQS prefix list pointing to the endpoint.
Option B is correct because VPC Gateway Endpoints for SQS allow traffic to SQS to stay within the AWS network, avoiding NAT gateways and reducing costs. Option A is wrong because VPC Interface Endpoints are used for services that require private IPs, but SQS supports Gateway Endpoints. Option C is wrong because NACLs and security groups do not change the path; they only filter traffic. Option D is wrong because Direct Connect is for on-premises, not for VPC-to-SQS traffic.
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 an interface VPC endpoint for SQS in each private subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Interface Endpoints are for services that don't support Gateway Endpoints; SQS does support Gateway Endpoints which are more cost-effective.
- ✓
Create a gateway VPC endpoint for SQS in the VPC and update the route tables for the private subnets to include a route for the SQS prefix list pointing to the endpoint.
- ✗
Set up an AWS Direct Connect connection to route SQS traffic directly.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Direct Connect is for on-premises connectivity, not for VPC services.
- ✗
Modify the network ACLs and security groups to allow traffic to SQS without going through the NAT gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Security groups and NACLs do not influence routing; they only filter 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 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.
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Network Management and Operations — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
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: Create a gateway VPC endpoint for SQS in the VPC and update the route tables for the private subnets to include a route for the SQS prefix list pointing to the endpoint. — Option B is correct because VPC Gateway Endpoints for SQS allow traffic to SQS to stay within the AWS network, avoiding NAT gateways and reducing costs. Option A is wrong because VPC Interface Endpoints are used for services that require private IPs, but SQS supports Gateway Endpoints. Option C is wrong because NACLs and security groups do not change the path; they only filter traffic. Option D is wrong because Direct Connect is for on-premises, not for VPC-to-SQS traffic.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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