- A
Enable MACsec on the Direct Connect connection.
Why wrong: MACsec is supported on dedicated Direct Connect connections but only provides Layer 2 encryption between the customer device and AWS, not end-to-end. Therefore, it does not encrypt all traffic between on-premises and the VPC.
- B
Use an IPsec VPN over the Direct Connect virtual interface.
IPsec VPN over Direct Connect provides an encrypted tunnel for all traffic, ensuring end-to-end encryption between on-premises and VPC.
- C
Use AWS Client VPN to connect on-premises to VPC.
Why wrong: AWS Client VPN is for individual clients to connect to AWS, not for site-to-site connectivity between data center and VPC.
- D
Enable encryption on the Direct Connect virtual interface.
Why wrong: Direct Connect virtual interfaces do not support native encryption. Encryption must be applied at a higher layer, such as IPsec.
IPsec VPN over Direct Connect for Encryption
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. 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. A key principle to apply: iPsec VPN over Direct Connect. 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 to its VPC. The network team wants to encrypt all traffic between the on-premises data center and the VPC. Which solution provides encryption?
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 an IPsec VPN over the Direct Connect virtual interface.
IPsec VPN over Direct Connect provides encryption for all traffic between on-premises and VPC. Direct Connect itself does not encrypt traffic. MACsec is supported on dedicated Direct Connect connections and provides Layer 2 encryption, but it only encrypts the link between the customer device and AWS, not end-to-end traffic. AWS Client VPN is for individual clients, not site-to-site. Direct Connect virtual interfaces do not support native encryption. Therefore, the correct solution is to use an IPsec VPN over the Direct Connect virtual interface.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable MACsec on the Direct Connect connection.
Why it's wrong here
MACsec is supported on dedicated Direct Connect connections but only provides Layer 2 encryption between the customer device and AWS, not end-to-end. Therefore, it does not encrypt all traffic between on-premises and the VPC.
- ✓
Use an IPsec VPN over the Direct Connect virtual interface.
- ✗
Use AWS Client VPN to connect on-premises to VPC.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Client VPN is for individual clients to connect to AWS, not for site-to-site connectivity between data center and VPC.
- ✗
Enable encryption on the Direct Connect virtual interface.
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect virtual interfaces do not support native encryption. Encryption must be applied at a higher layer, such as IPsec.
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
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- IPsec VPN over Direct Connect
- MACsec (Media Access Control Security)
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
IPsec VPN over Direct Connect
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review iPsec VPN over Direct Connect, then practise related ANS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
Network Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — IPsec VPN over Direct Connect.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an IPsec VPN over the Direct Connect virtual interface. — IPsec VPN over Direct Connect provides encryption for all traffic between on-premises and VPC. Direct Connect itself does not encrypt traffic. MACsec is supported on dedicated Direct Connect connections and provides Layer 2 encryption, but it only encrypts the link between the customer device and AWS, not end-to-end traffic. AWS Client VPN is for individual clients, not site-to-site. Direct Connect virtual interfaces do not support native encryption. Therefore, the correct solution is to use an IPsec VPN over the Direct Connect virtual interface.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review iPsec VPN over Direct Connect, then practise related ANS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
IPsec VPN over Direct Connect
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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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