ANS-C01 Network Implementation Practice Question
A company is deploying a VPC with both public and private subnets. They have an EC2 instance in a private subnet that needs to access the internet for software updates. Which AWS service should be placed in a public subnet to enable this?
⚠ Common exam trap
The ANS-C01 exam often tests the misconception that an Internet Gateway can be 'placed' in a subnet or that it directly provides outbound-only access for private instances, but the key trap is that an Internet Gateway alone cannot perform source NAT—it requires a NAT device (gateway or instance) in a public subnet to enable private instances to reach the internet.
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
✓
NAT gateway
A NAT gateway is correct because it enables EC2 instances in a private subnet to initiate outbound connections to the internet (e.g., for software updates) while preventing the internet from initiating inbound connections to those instances. The NAT gateway must be placed in a public subnet with an associated Internet Gateway to translate private IP addresses to the public IP of the NAT gateway for outbound traffic.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Internet gateway
Why it's wrong here
An internet gateway alone does not provide outbound access for private subnet instances; it needs a NAT device.
- ✗
VPC endpoint
Why it's wrong here
VPC endpoints provide private access to AWS services, not to the internet.
- ✗
Direct Connect virtual interface
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is for private connectivity to on-premises, not internet access.
- ✓
NAT gateway
Why this is correct
A NAT gateway in a public subnet enables outbound internet access for instances in private subnets.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This ANS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the ANS-C01 exam.