ANS-C01 Network Design Practice Question
A company is deploying a VPC with public and private subnets. They need to provide internet access to instances in the private subnets for software updates. Which THREE components are required to achieve this?
⚠ Common exam trap
The ANS-C01 exam often tests the misconception that a NAT Gateway alone provides internet access without an Internet Gateway, but the Internet Gateway is mandatory for the NAT Gateway to reach the internet; candidates may also incorrectly think a VPN or Direct Connect can substitute for internet access.
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
✓
Route table in the private subnet with a default route pointing to the NAT Gateway
A route table in the private subnet with a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to a NAT Gateway ensures that outbound traffic from private instances destined for the internet is forwarded to the NAT Gateway. This allows instances in private subnets to initiate outbound connections for software updates while preventing any unsolicited inbound traffic from the internet.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Route table in the private subnet with a default route pointing to the NAT Gateway
Why this is correct
The route table must direct traffic to the NAT Gateway for internet access.
- ✗
AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection
Why it's wrong here
VPN is for connecting on-premises networks, not for internet access.
- ✓
NAT Gateway in a public subnet
Why this is correct
NAT Gateway allows outbound traffic from private subnets to the internet.
- ✓
Internet Gateway attached to the VPC
Why this is correct
Internet Gateway is needed for the NAT Gateway to reach the internet.
- ✗
AWS Direct Connect connection
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is for dedicated network connections, not for internet access.
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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.