- A
Set up a VPN connection to S3
Why wrong: S3 does not support VPN endpoints.
- B
Create a Gateway VPC Endpoint for S3
Allows private subnet instances to access S3 without internet.
- C
Use AWS Direct Connect to access S3
Why wrong: Direct Connect is for on-premises to AWS, not for VPC to S3.
- D
Create an Interface VPC Endpoint for S3
Also allows private access, though more expensive.
- E
Attach an Internet Gateway and use a NAT Gateway
Why wrong: Requires NAT, not direct.
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 multiple subnets. They want to ensure that EC2 instances in a private subnet can access S3 buckets without going through a NAT Gateway or Internet Gateway. Which TWO methods can accomplish this?
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
Create a Gateway VPC Endpoint for S3
A Gateway VPC Endpoint for S3 allows EC2 instances in a private subnet to access S3 buckets privately using AWS’s internal network, without requiring an Internet Gateway or NAT Gateway. It uses prefix lists and route table entries to direct S3 traffic through the endpoint, leveraging the AWS global network for secure, low-latency access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set up a VPN connection to S3
Why it's wrong here
S3 does not support VPN endpoints.
- ✓
Create a Gateway VPC Endpoint for S3
Why this is correct
Allows private subnet instances to access S3 without internet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS Direct Connect to access S3
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is for on-premises to AWS, not for VPC to S3.
- ✓
Create an Interface VPC Endpoint for S3
Why this is correct
Also allows private access, though more expensive.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Attach an Internet Gateway and use a NAT Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Requires NAT, not direct.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
AWS often tests the misconception that only Gateway VPC Endpoints can access S3 privately, but Interface VPC Endpoints are also valid and are the correct answer when the question specifies 'multiple subnets' or 'on-premises connectivity' as a requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Gateway VPC Endpoints use a route table entry with a prefix list for S3 (e.g., com.amazonaws.region.s3) to direct traffic to the endpoint, which is horizontally scaled and redundant. Interface VPC Endpoints, powered by AWS PrivateLink, use Elastic Network Interfaces (ENIs) in the subnet and support on-premises access via VPN or Direct Connect, but they incur hourly charges and data processing fees, unlike Gateway Endpoints which are free. In real-world scenarios, Gateway Endpoints are preferred for high-volume S3 access from within the same region, while Interface Endpoints are chosen when access is needed from on-premises or across regions.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Network Design — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Design practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All ANS-C01 questions
1,705 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
ANS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related ANS-C01 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Network Management and Operations practice questions
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Management and Operations.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance practice questions
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Security, Compliance and Governance.
Network Design practice questions
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Design.
Network Implementation practice questions
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Implementation.
ANS-C01 fundamentals practice questions
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to ANS-C01 fundamentals.
ANS-C01 scenario practice questions
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to ANS-C01 scenario.
ANS-C01 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to ANS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free ANS-C01 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
Network Design — This question tests Network Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Gateway VPC Endpoint for S3 — A Gateway VPC Endpoint for S3 allows EC2 instances in a private subnet to access S3 buckets privately using AWS’s internal network, without requiring an Internet Gateway or NAT Gateway. It uses prefix lists and route table entries to direct S3 traffic through the endpoint, leveraging the AWS global network for secure, low-latency access.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.