- A
Place the web server in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway, and the database in the private subnet without any internet access.
Why wrong: The database cannot download patches if needed; also web server can access internet via IGW.
- B
Place both instances in the public subnet and use security groups to restrict inbound access to the database.
Why wrong: Database would have direct internet access if in public subnet.
- C
Place the web server in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway, and the database in the private subnet with a route to a NAT Gateway in the public subnet for outbound access only.
Web server gets internet via IGW; database can initiate outbound traffic via NAT Gateway without being directly reachable.
- D
Place the web server in the private subnet with a NAT Gateway, and the database in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway.
Why wrong: Web server in private subnet would need NAT for internet, but database in public subnet would have direct internet access.
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 designing a VPC with a public subnet for a web server and a private subnet for a database. The web server needs to download patches from the internet. The database should not have direct internet access. Which architecture meets these requirements?
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
Place the web server in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway, and the database in the private subnet with a route to a NAT Gateway in the public subnet for outbound access only.
Option B is correct. A NAT Gateway in the public subnet allows the web server (in the same public subnet) to access the internet via its public IP or via the NAT Gateway if it's actually in a private subnet. However, the web server is in a public subnet, so it can have a public IP and access the internet directly. The database in the private subnet can use the NAT Gateway for outbound access if needed, but the question says database should not have direct internet access, so it should not have a public IP. Option A is wrong because an Internet Gateway alone does not provide outbound access for private instances. Option C is wrong because a VPN is not needed. Option D is wrong because a NAT Instance is not recommended; NAT Gateway is managed.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Place the web server in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway, and the database in the private subnet without any internet access.
Why it's wrong here
The database cannot download patches if needed; also web server can access internet via IGW.
- ✗
Place both instances in the public subnet and use security groups to restrict inbound access to the database.
Why it's wrong here
Database would have direct internet access if in public subnet.
- ✓
Place the web server in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway, and the database in the private subnet with a route to a NAT Gateway in the public subnet for outbound access only.
- ✗
Place the web server in the private subnet with a NAT Gateway, and the database in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Web server in private subnet would need NAT for internet, but database in public subnet would have direct internet access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
Network Design — This question tests Network Design — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place the web server in the public subnet with an Internet Gateway, and the database in the private subnet with a route to a NAT Gateway in the public subnet for outbound access only. — Option B is correct. A NAT Gateway in the public subnet allows the web server (in the same public subnet) to access the internet via its public IP or via the NAT Gateway if it's actually in a private subnet. However, the web server is in a public subnet, so it can have a public IP and access the internet directly. The database in the private subnet can use the NAT Gateway for outbound access if needed, but the question says database should not have direct internet access, so it should not have a public IP. Option A is wrong because an Internet Gateway alone does not provide outbound access for private instances. Option C is wrong because a VPN is not needed. Option D is wrong because a NAT Instance is not recommended; NAT Gateway is managed.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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