Quick Answer
The answer is 7, because each of the 5 VPCs requires its own attachment to the Transit Gateway, and each of the 2 Direct Connect connections requires a separate Transit Virtual Interface (VIF) attachment, totaling 7 attachments. This calculation reflects the fundamental rule that a Transit Gateway attachment is a one-to-one mapping for each VPC and each Direct Connect Virtual Interface; you cannot share a single attachment across multiple VPCs or multiple Direct Connect connections. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of Transit Gateway attachment limits and the distinction between a Direct Connect connection and its associated Virtual Interface—a common trap is assuming a single Direct Connect gateway can serve multiple connections with one attachment, but each physical connection needs its own VIF attachment. A quick memory tip: count every VPC and every Direct Connect Virtual Interface as one attachment each, and never forget that the Direct Connect connections themselves are separate items.
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 wants to connect multiple VPCs in different AWS accounts to on-premises networks using AWS Transit Gateway. Each VPC must be able to communicate with on-premises resources over AWS Direct Connect. What is the MINIMUM number of Transit Gateway attachments required if the company has 5 VPCs and 2 Direct Connect connections from different locations?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
6
Why wrong: This counts 5 VPC attachments plus one Direct Connect attachment, but two Direct Connect connections require at least two attachments.
7
5 VPC attachments + 2 Direct Connect attachments = 7.
5
Why wrong: This counts only VPC attachments and ignores Direct Connect.
8
Why wrong: This overcounts; you don't need attachments for each VPC per Direct Connect.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
7
Option D is correct. Each VPC requires one attachment to the Transit Gateway. For Direct Connect, a single Transit Virtual Interface (VIF) attachment per Direct Connect connection is sufficient, but the question asks for the minimum number of attachments. With two Direct Connect connections, you need at least one attachment per connection, but typically you would have one attachment per Direct Connect gateway. However, the minimum is 5 VPC attachments plus 2 Direct Connect attachments = 7. Option A is wrong because it misses the Direct Connect attachments. Option B is wrong because it assumes only one Direct Connect attachment. Option C is wrong because it underestimates the VPC attachments.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
6
Why it's wrong here
This counts 5 VPC attachments plus one Direct Connect attachment, but two Direct Connect connections require at least two attachments.
7
Why this is correct
5 VPC attachments + 2 Direct Connect attachments = 7.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
5
Why it's wrong here
This counts only VPC attachments and ignores Direct Connect.
8
Why it's wrong here
This overcounts; you don't need attachments for each VPC per Direct Connect.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Management and Operations.
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Security, Compliance and Governance.
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Design.
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to Network Implementation.
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to ANS-C01 fundamentals.
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to ANS-C01 scenario.
Practise ANS-C01 questions linked to ANS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Network Design — This question tests Network Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 7 — Option D is correct. Each VPC requires one attachment to the Transit Gateway. For Direct Connect, a single Transit Virtual Interface (VIF) attachment per Direct Connect connection is sufficient, but the question asks for the minimum number of attachments. With two Direct Connect connections, you need at least one attachment per connection, but typically you would have one attachment per Direct Connect gateway. However, the minimum is 5 VPC attachments plus 2 Direct Connect attachments = 7. Option A is wrong because it misses the Direct Connect attachments. Option B is wrong because it assumes only one Direct Connect attachment. Option C is wrong because it underestimates the VPC attachments.
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 →
Keep practising
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.
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.