The correct answer is the destination instance's security group, as a REJECT action in VPC Flow Logs indicates that traffic was explicitly denied after security group and network ACL evaluation. Flow logs capture records after both layers have been processed, so a REJECT means either a security group or a NACL dropped the packet; however, because the destination port is HTTP (80) and the source IP is within the same VPC CIDR, the most likely blocker is the instance’s security group lacking an inbound rule for HTTP traffic. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the order of evaluation—security groups are stateful and evaluated first, while NACLs are stateless and evaluated second—and a common trap is assuming a NACL is responsible when a missing security group rule is the actual cause. Remember the memory tip: “REJECT after check—security group is the first to wreck.”
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A network engineer is analyzing a VPC Flow Log record from a VPC with CIDR 10.0.0.0/16. The record indicates a REJECT action. Which component is most likely blocking the traffic?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The destination instance's security group
Flow logs record traffic after security group and NACL evaluation. A REJECT indicates the traffic was dropped by a security group or NACL. Since the destination port is 80 (HTTP), a security group is likely blocking inbound HTTP. Option C is correct. Option A is wrong because the source IP is within the VPC. Option B is wrong because there is no indication of a missing route. Option D is wrong because NACL rules are stateless and would show REJECT if they block, but security groups are more common for instance-level blocking.
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.
✗
The destination instance's operating system firewall
Why it's wrong here
Flow logs capture traffic before reaching the OS.
✗
A missing route in the route table
Why it's wrong here
Missing routes would not generate a flow log record.
✓
The destination instance's security group
Why this is correct
Security groups evaluate inbound rules and can REJECT traffic.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
NACLs are stateless and would REJECT if a rule denies, but security group is more likely for a specific port.
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 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
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.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The destination instance's security group — Flow logs record traffic after security group and NACL evaluation. A REJECT indicates the traffic was dropped by a security group or NACL. Since the destination port is 80 (HTTP), a security group is likely blocking inbound HTTP. Option C is correct. Option A is wrong because the source IP is within the VPC. Option B is wrong because there is no indication of a missing route. Option D is wrong because NACL rules are stateless and would show REJECT if they block, but security groups are more common for instance-level blocking.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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