The answer is to configure BGP with different ASNs on each connection and use two separate Direct Connect connections. This combination ensures path diversity and failover by eliminating any single point of failure, as each connection operates independently with its own autonomous system number, allowing BGP to dynamically reroute traffic if one link goes down. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of Direct Connect redundancy best practices, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a trap is to assume a single connection with a VPN backup over the same internet link provides true diversity—it does not, because the internet path shares the same physical infrastructure. Another common mistake is thinking multiple virtual interfaces on one connection suffice, but that still creates a single point of failure at the physical layer. Memory tip: think “two pipes, two ASNs” to recall that both physical separation and distinct BGP configurations are required for robust redundancy.
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. 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 designing a highly available network architecture using AWS Direct Connect. Which TWO actions should be taken to ensure redundancy?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Provision two Direct Connect connections at different locations
Option A and C are correct because using two separate Direct Connect connections and configuring BGP with different ASNs provide path diversity and failover. Option B is wrong because a single connection is a single point of failure. Option D is wrong because VPN backup over the same internet connection does not provide true diversity. Option E is wrong because a single VIF on a single connection offers no redundancy.
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.
✗
Create a single private VIF on the Direct Connect connection
Why it's wrong here
Single VIF provides no redundancy.
✗
Set up a VPN connection over the internet as a backup
Why it's wrong here
VPN backup is good but not a Direct Connect redundancy action.
✓
Provision two Direct Connect connections at different locations
Why this is correct
Two connections at different locations provide physical diversity.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use a single Direct Connect connection with multiple VIFs
Why it's wrong here
Multiple VIFs on a single connection share the same physical link.
✓
Configure BGP with different ASNs on each connection
Why this is correct
Different ASNs allow BGP to prefer one path and failover to the other.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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 Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Provision two Direct Connect connections at different locations — Option A and C are correct because using two separate Direct Connect connections and configuring BGP with different ASNs provide path diversity and failover. Option B is wrong because a single connection is a single point of failure. Option D is wrong because VPN backup over the same internet connection does not provide true diversity. Option E is wrong because a single VIF on a single connection offers no redundancy.
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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