- A
Use a private virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and establish an IPsec VPN tunnel over the private VIF
This provides encryption over a private connection, meeting both requirements.
- B
Use a private virtual interface (VIF) and rely on Direct Connect encryption
Why wrong: Direct Connect does not encrypt traffic by default; encryption must be added via IPsec.
- C
Use a public virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and configure an IPsec VPN tunnel over it
Why wrong: Public VIF accesses public AWS services; traffic may traverse the internet, and encryption is not built-in.
- D
Use a transit virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and attach it to a transit gateway
Why wrong: Transit VIF does not provide encryption; it is for connecting to transit gateways.
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 financial services company must ensure that all traffic between its on-premises data center and VPC is encrypted in transit and does not traverse the public internet. The company has an AWS Direct Connect connection. Which solution 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
Use a private virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and establish an IPsec VPN tunnel over the private VIF
Option A is correct because a private virtual interface (VIF) provides private, non-internet-routed connectivity between the on-premises data center and the VPC over AWS Direct Connect. However, Direct Connect itself does not natively encrypt traffic; by establishing an IPsec VPN tunnel over the private VIF, you add end-to-end encryption (e.g., using AES-256) while keeping all traffic off the public internet, meeting both requirements.
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.
- ✓
Use a private virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and establish an IPsec VPN tunnel over the private VIF
Why this is correct
This provides encryption over a private connection, meeting both requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a private virtual interface (VIF) and rely on Direct Connect encryption
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect does not encrypt traffic by default; encryption must be added via IPsec.
- ✗
Use a public virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and configure an IPsec VPN tunnel over it
Why it's wrong here
Public VIF accesses public AWS services; traffic may traverse the internet, and encryption is not built-in.
- ✗
Use a transit virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and attach it to a transit gateway
Why it's wrong here
Transit VIF does not provide encryption; it is for connecting to transit gateways.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Direct Connect provides encryption by default, but it does not; the exam tests whether you know that a private VIF alone is unencrypted and that an IPsec VPN overlay is required to meet encryption mandates.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, an IPsec VPN tunnel over a private VIF uses protocols like IKEv2 (RFC 7296) for key exchange and ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) for encryption, typically with AES-256-GCM. The private VIF ensures the traffic stays within the AWS backbone and your on-premises network, never touching the public internet, while the VPN adds the encryption layer that Direct Connect lacks. In a real-world scenario, a financial services company might use this setup to comply with PCI DSS or GDPR requirements for encrypted data in transit.
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 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.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
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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: Use a private virtual interface (VIF) over the Direct Connect connection and establish an IPsec VPN tunnel over the private VIF — Option A is correct because a private virtual interface (VIF) provides private, non-internet-routed connectivity between the on-premises data center and the VPC over AWS Direct Connect. However, Direct Connect itself does not natively encrypt traffic; by establishing an IPsec VPN tunnel over the private VIF, you add end-to-end encryption (e.g., using AES-256) while keeping all traffic off the public internet, meeting both requirements.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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