- A
NAT Gateway in a public subnet
NAT Gateway enables outbound internet access for private instances.
- B
Security Group allowing outbound HTTPS
Why wrong: Security Group is for traffic control, not for providing internet access.
- C
Internet Gateway attached to the VPC
Why wrong: Internet Gateway allows both inbound and outbound; alone it would require public IPs on private instances.
- D
AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection
Why wrong: VPN is for private connectivity to on-premises, not internet.
- E
Route table for private subnets with 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT Gateway
This route directs outbound internet traffic from private subnets to the NAT Gateway.
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 company is designing a VPC with public and private subnets. The private subnets must have outbound internet access for software updates, but must not be directly reachable from the internet. Which two components are required for this design? (Choose two.)
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
NAT Gateway in a public subnet
A NAT Gateway in a public subnet (A) provides outbound internet access for instances in private subnets while preventing inbound connections from the internet. A route table for the private subnets with a 0.0.0.0/0 route pointing to the NAT Gateway (E) directs outbound traffic to the NAT Gateway. Option B (Security Group allowing outbound HTTPS) is not a component; security groups control traffic but don't provide routing or internet access. Option C (Internet Gateway attached to the VPC) is required for public subnets but alone does not enable private subnet outbound access. Option D (Site-to-Site VPN) is for hybrid connectivity, not internet access.
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.
- ✓
NAT Gateway in a public subnet
- ✗
Security Group allowing outbound HTTPS
Why it's wrong here
Security Group is for traffic control, not for providing internet access.
- ✗
Internet Gateway attached to the VPC
- ✗
AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection
Why it's wrong here
VPN is for private connectivity to on-premises, not internet.
- ✓
Route table for private subnets with 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT Gateway
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 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.
Visual reference
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 Design — This question tests Network Design — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: NAT Gateway in a public subnet — A NAT Gateway in a public subnet (A) provides outbound internet access for instances in private subnets while preventing inbound connections from the internet. A route table for the private subnets with a 0.0.0.0/0 route pointing to the NAT Gateway (E) directs outbound traffic to the NAT Gateway. Option B (Security Group allowing outbound HTTPS) is not a component; security groups control traffic but don't provide routing or internet access. Option C (Internet Gateway attached to the VPC) is required for public subnets but alone does not enable private subnet outbound access. Option D (Site-to-Site VPN) is for hybrid connectivity, not internet access.
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
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