- A
Configure the VPN connection but attach it to a separate VGW, and use a transit gateway with failover routing.
Why wrong: Using a separate VGW complicates the setup; the VPN should be attached to the same VGW.
- B
Configure the VPN connection and propagate routes from both the Direct Connect and VPN. Create a static route in the route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the VPN.
Why wrong: A static route pointing to the VPN would always use VPN, not failover.
- C
Configure the VPN connection but do not propagate routes; use static routes in the route table.
Why wrong: Without route propagation, failover is not automatic.
- D
Configure the VPN connection and propagate routes from both the Direct Connect and VPN. Create a static route in the route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the Direct Connect VIF with a higher metric.
The static route with a higher metric serves as a backup; if Direct Connect fails, the propagated VPN route takes over.
Quick Answer
The correct configuration is to propagate BGP routes from both the Direct Connect virtual interface and the Site-to-Site VPN, then create a static route in the VPC route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the Direct Connect virtual interface with a higher metric (less preferred). This works because the static route with a higher metric acts as a less preferred path, so the more specific propagated BGP routes from the VPN will automatically take over when the Direct Connect link fails, enabling automatic Direct Connect failover to VPN. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of route preference and BGP propagation within a virtual private gateway—a common trap is assuming the VPN alone handles failover without explicit route manipulation. Remember the key principle: static routes with higher metrics serve as backup paths when BGP routes are propagated from both connections. A useful memory tip is "higher metric, lower priority"—the static route for Direct Connect is intentionally made less attractive so the VPN can seamlessly take over.
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 using AWS Direct Connect to connect their on-premises network to AWS. They have a virtual private gateway (VGW) attached to their VPC and a Direct Connect virtual interface (VIF) configured. They want to use AWS Site-to-Site VPN as a backup connection. Which configuration ensures that traffic automatically uses the VPN if the Direct Connect connection fails?
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
Configure the VPN connection and propagate routes from both the Direct Connect and VPN. Create a static route in the route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the Direct Connect VIF with a higher metric.
Option D is correct because propagating BGP routes from both the Direct Connect VIF and the VPN, and creating a static route with a higher metric (less preferred) for the Direct Connect route, allows automatic failover. Option A is wrong because the VPN must be configured to handle failover. Option B is wrong because the VPN alone does not provide automatic failover without route propagation. Option C is wrong because the VPN must be attached to the VGW.
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.
- ✗
Configure the VPN connection but attach it to a separate VGW, and use a transit gateway with failover routing.
Why it's wrong here
Using a separate VGW complicates the setup; the VPN should be attached to the same VGW.
- ✗
Configure the VPN connection and propagate routes from both the Direct Connect and VPN. Create a static route in the route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the VPN.
Why it's wrong here
A static route pointing to the VPN would always use VPN, not failover.
- ✗
Configure the VPN connection but do not propagate routes; use static routes in the route table.
Why it's wrong here
Without route propagation, failover is not automatic.
- ✓
Configure the VPN connection and propagate routes from both the Direct Connect and VPN. Create a static route in the route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the Direct Connect VIF with a higher metric.
Why this is correct
The static route with a higher metric serves as a backup; if Direct Connect fails, the propagated VPN route takes over.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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 Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the VPN connection and propagate routes from both the Direct Connect and VPN. Create a static route in the route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the Direct Connect VIF with a higher metric. — Option D is correct because propagating BGP routes from both the Direct Connect VIF and the VPN, and creating a static route with a higher metric (less preferred) for the Direct Connect route, allows automatic failover. Option A is wrong because the VPN must be configured to handle failover. Option B is wrong because the VPN alone does not provide automatic failover without route propagation. Option C is wrong because the VPN must be attached to the VGW.
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
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.
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