Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Direct Connect with a VPN (IPsec) over the private VIF, as this combines a dedicated physical link with encrypted traffic while maintaining a private, dedicated network connection. AWS Direct Connect alone provides a private, dedicated connection that bypasses the public internet, but adding a VPN over the private virtual interface (VIF) ensures encryption without sacrificing the dedicated nature of the link. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between truly dedicated methods and those that rely on the public internet; a common trap is selecting a standard VPN over the internet, which is private in the sense of encryption but not dedicated in terms of the underlying network path. Remember that for private dedicated AWS connectivity, the key is the physical isolation of the connection—Direct Connect is the foundation, and any VPN must ride on top of that dedicated link to qualify. Memory tip: think “Direct Connect is the dedicated highway; VPN over it is the armored truck on that highway.”
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. 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.
Which TWO of the following are valid methods to connect an on-premises data center to an Amazon VPC over a private, dedicated network connection? (Choose two.)
VPC peering
Why wrong: VPC peering connects VPCs, not on-premises.
AWS Direct Connect
Direct Connect provides a dedicated private connection.
AWS Direct Connect with a VPN (IPsec) over the private VIF
This provides an encrypted dedicated connection.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN over the internet
Why wrong: VPN over internet is not dedicated; it uses the public internet.
AWS Client VPN
Why wrong: Client VPN is for individual users, not site-to-site.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Direct Connect
AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated private connection. AWS VPN can also be used over the internet but is not dedicated; however, a VPN over Direct Connect is possible. The question asks for 'private, dedicated network connection', so Direct Connect is the primary method. VPN over internet is not dedicated. VPN over Direct Connect uses the dedicated connection.
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.
VPC peering
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering connects VPCs, not on-premises.
AWS Direct Connect
Why this is correct
Direct Connect provides a dedicated private connection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Direct Connect with a VPN (IPsec) over the private VIF
Why this is correct
This provides an encrypted dedicated connection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN over the internet
Why it's wrong here
VPN over internet is not dedicated; it uses the public internet.
AWS Client VPN
Why it's wrong here
Client VPN is for individual users, not site-to-site.
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 Implementation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Network Implementation 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 Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Direct Connect — AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated private connection. AWS VPN can also be used over the internet but is not dedicated; however, a VPN over Direct Connect is possible. The question asks for 'private, dedicated network connection', so Direct Connect is the primary method. VPN over internet is not dedicated. VPN over Direct Connect uses the dedicated connection.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are valid methods to connect an on-premises data center to a VPC in AWS? (Choose 2.)
easyWhy A: Options A and C are correct. AWS Site-to-Site VPN and AWS Direct Connect are the primary methods for hybrid connectivity. VPC peering (B) is for inter-VPC, not on-premises. VPC endpoints (D) are for AWS services. Transit Gateway (E) is a hub for multiple connections but not a direct connection method itself.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are valid methods to connect a VPC to an on-premises network? (Choose TWO.)
easyWhy A: Options A and D are correct. AWS Site-to-Site VPN and AWS Direct Connect are both valid methods. Option B is wrong because VPC peering is for VPC-to-VPC. Option C is wrong because AWS Transit Gateway is a network transit hub, not a direct connection method. Option E is wrong because VPC endpoints are for accessing AWS services.
Variation 3. Which TWO options are valid methods to connect a VPC to an on-premises network? (Choose 2)
mediumWhy B: AWS Site-to-Site VPN and AWS Direct Connect are the two primary services for hybrid connectivity. VPC peering is for VPC-to-VPC, not on-premises. VPC endpoints are for accessing AWS services privately. Internet gateway is for public internet access.
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.