The correct answer is to add a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the internet gateway and a specific route for the on-premises CIDR block pointing to the virtual private gateway. This dual configuration is essential because route table configuration for hybrid networks with Direct Connect and internet gateway must explicitly separate traffic paths: the default route handles all non-matching internet-bound traffic via the IGW, while the specific on-premises route ensures that traffic destined for the corporate network is forced over the Direct Connect private VIF through the VGW attachment. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of route precedence and the necessity of explicit routing for hybrid connectivity—a common trap is assuming the VGW automatically handles on-premises traffic without a specific route entry. Remember the memory tip: “Default for the cloud, specific for the ground” to recall that the 0.0.0.0/0 route goes to the IGW for internet, while the on-premises CIDR must be explicitly pointed to the VGW for Direct Connect.
ANS-C01 Network Design Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network design. 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 and uses an AWS Direct Connect private VIF for connectivity to on-premises. The company wants to ensure that traffic from the VPC to on-premises uses the Direct Connect connection, while internet traffic uses an internet gateway. Which configurations must be applied? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a route in the VPC route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway.
Option D is correct because adding a route for the on-premises CIDR block pointing to the virtual private gateway (VGW) ensures that traffic destined for the on-premises network is directed over the Direct Connect private VIF. This is necessary because the VGW is the attachment point for the Direct Connect private VIF, and without this specific route, VPC traffic to on-premises would not use the Direct Connect connection.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 endpoint for Direct Connect.
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect does not use VPC endpoints.
✗
Deploy a NAT gateway in a public subnet.
Why it's wrong here
NAT is for outbound internet from private subnets.
✗
Add a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the virtual private gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Would send internet traffic to DX, not IGW.
✓
Add a route in the VPC route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway.
Why this is correct
Directs on-premises traffic to DX.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Add a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the internet gateway.
Why this is correct
Directs internet traffic to IGW.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think a default route to the virtual private gateway is sufficient for all traffic, but they must remember that internet traffic requires a separate default route to the internet gateway, and the on-premises traffic needs a specific route to the VGW to avoid asymmetric routing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When using a Direct Connect private VIF, the VPC route table must contain a specific route for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway (VGW) to enable bidirectional communication. The default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the internet gateway is required for internet-bound traffic, and this route must have a lower prefix length (more specific) than any other default route to avoid conflicts. In practice, if both a default route to the VGW and a default route to the IGW exist, the more specific route (e.g., a specific on-premises CIDR) takes precedence for on-premises traffic, while the default route to the IGW handles internet traffic.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Network Design — This question tests Network Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a route in the VPC route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway. — Option D is correct because adding a route for the on-premises CIDR block pointing to the virtual private gateway (VGW) ensures that traffic destined for the on-premises network is directed over the Direct Connect private VIF. This is necessary because the VGW is the attachment point for the Direct Connect private VIF, and without this specific route, VPC traffic to on-premises would not use the Direct Connect connection.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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