The correct combination is an Application Load Balancer for the web tier and a Network Load Balancer for the application tier. This works because the ALB handles fault-tolerant, content-based routing across EC2 instances in the web layer, while the NLB provides a static IP address that the web tier can reliably use to reach the application tier, which is essential when the app tier’s Auto Scaling group changes instance IPs. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of when to use layer 7 versus layer 4 load balancing in a multi-tier architecture with static IP requirements—a common trap is assuming a single load balancer type can serve both tiers, but the NLB lacks path-based routing needed for the web tier, and the ALB cannot guarantee a static IP. Remember the memory tip: “ALB for the web path, NLB for the static address.”
ANS-C01 Network Design Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network design. 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 is deploying a multi-tier web application across multiple Availability Zones in a single Region. The web tier must be fault-tolerant and distribute traffic across EC2 instances. The application tier uses an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances that need to be accessed by the web tier using a static IP address. Which combination of AWS services meets these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Application Load Balancer for the web tier and Network Load Balancer for the application tier
Option B is correct because an ALB distributes traffic to web tier instances, and an NLB provides a static IP for the application tier. Option A is wrong because NLB does not support path-based routing needed for web tier. Option C is wrong because Global Accelerator is for multi-Region traffic. Option D is wrong because CLB is legacy and does not support advanced features.
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.
✗
Classic Load Balancer for the web tier and Application Load Balancer for the application tier
Why it's wrong here
CLB does not offer the advanced features needed for modern web tiers.
✓
Application Load Balancer for the web tier and Network Load Balancer for the application tier
Why this is correct
ALB provides content-based routing for web tier; NLB provides static IP for application tier.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
AWS Global Accelerator for the web tier and Classic Load Balancer for the application tier
Why it's wrong here
Global Accelerator is for multi-Region; CLB is deprecated.
✗
Network Load Balancer for the web tier and Application Load Balancer for the application tier
Why it's wrong here
NLB does not support path-based routing typically needed for web tier.
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 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 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 Design — This question tests Network Design — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Application Load Balancer for the web tier and Network Load Balancer for the application tier — Option B is correct because an ALB distributes traffic to web tier instances, and an NLB provides a static IP for the application tier. Option A is wrong because NLB does not support path-based routing needed for web tier. Option C is wrong because Global Accelerator is for multi-Region traffic. Option D is wrong because CLB is legacy and does not support advanced features.
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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