Quick Answer
The answer is VPC Flow Logs. This is the correct choice because VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic information for all network interfaces within a VPC, including traffic traversing internet gateways to and from the internet, enabling detailed traffic analysis for security incidents. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between security services that log traffic versus those that filter or protect it—a common trap is confusing AWS Network Firewall or AWS WAF with Flow Logs, but remember that only Flow Logs provide the raw, metadata-level traffic logs needed for analysis. A key memory tip: think of Flow Logs as the “flight recorder” for your VPC—they don’t block or filter, they just record every packet’s story, making them essential for post-incident traffic analysis.
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. 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 has a VPC with public and private subnets. The security team wants to analyze all traffic to and from the internet for security incidents. Which AWS service should be used to capture and analyze this traffic?
AWS Shield Advanced
Why wrong: Shield provides DDoS protection, not traffic analysis.
AWS Network Firewall
Why wrong: Network Firewall provides network protection but not traffic logs.
AWS WAF
Why wrong: WAF is a web application firewall, not a traffic log service.
VPC Flow Logs
Flow Logs capture IP traffic metadata for analysis.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
VPC Flow Logs
The correct answer is C because VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic information for network interfaces, including traffic to/from the internet. Option A is wrong because AWS WAF filters web traffic but does not provide traffic logs. Option B is wrong because AWS Shield Advanced provides DDoS protection, not traffic analysis. Option D is wrong because AWS Network Firewall provides firewall capabilities but not detailed traffic logs like Flow Logs.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Shield Advanced
Why it's wrong here
Shield provides DDoS protection, not traffic analysis.
AWS Network Firewall
Why it's wrong here
Network Firewall provides network protection but not traffic logs.
AWS WAF
Why it's wrong here
WAF is a web application firewall, not a traffic log service.
VPC Flow Logs
Why this is correct
Flow Logs capture IP traffic metadata for analysis.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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
Network Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: VPC Flow Logs — The correct answer is C because VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic information for network interfaces, including traffic to/from the internet. Option A is wrong because AWS WAF filters web traffic but does not provide traffic logs. Option B is wrong because AWS Shield Advanced provides DDoS protection, not traffic analysis. Option D is wrong because AWS Network Firewall provides firewall capabilities but not detailed traffic logs like Flow Logs.
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.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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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