The correct answer is to verify that the peer IP addresses on both sides are correct and reachable, because BGP session establishment fails most commonly due to a mismatch in the configured neighbor IPs or a lack of Layer 3 connectivity between the two endpoints. This is a foundational troubleshooting step for AWS Direct Connect, as the BGP session relies on TCP port 179 being open and the IP addresses being explicitly defined on both the on-premises router and the AWS virtual private gateway. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this concept tests your ability to isolate Layer 3 and BGP configuration errors, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a Direct Connect virtual interface shows a “down” state. A common trap is assuming the BGP ASN is the issue first, but peer IP misconfiguration is more frequent and easier to verify with a simple ping test. Memory tip: “Ping the peer before you peer the BGP” — always confirm IP reachability before checking ASN or authentication.
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. 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.
Which TWO actions should a network engineer take to troubleshoot a BGP session that is not establishing between an on-premises router and AWS Direct Connect? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Verify that the BGP ASN configured on the customer router matches the one provided by AWS.
Common BGP issues include incorrect BGP ASN, incorrect peer IP addresses, missing authentication, and firewall rules blocking TCP port 179. Verifying these settings on both sides is key.
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.
✓
Verify that the BGP ASN configured on the customer router matches the one provided by AWS.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Increase the MTU on the customer router interface.
Why it's wrong here
MTU issues can cause problems but are not typical for BGP session establishment.
✗
Ensure that the virtual interface is in the 'available' state.
Why it's wrong here
The VIF state is important, but it's not a direct BGP troubleshooting step.
✓
Verify that the peer IP addresses on both sides are correct and reachable.
Why this is correct
Incorrect IP addresses cause session failure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Check that the Direct Connect connection is in the 'available' state.
Why it's wrong here
The connection state is needed, but not specifically for BGP establishment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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.
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 Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Verify that the BGP ASN configured on the customer router matches the one provided by AWS. — Common BGP issues include incorrect BGP ASN, incorrect peer IP addresses, missing authentication, and firewall rules blocking TCP port 179. Verifying these settings on both sides is key.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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