Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A company serves public JavaScript and CSS files from S3 using CloudFront. After a frontend change, customers report a low CloudFront cache hit ratio. Requests now include an Authorization header, but these assets do not require authentication. The CloudFront distribution is configured such that Authorization is included in the cache key. Which change best maximizes cache reuse?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Include the Authorization header in the cache key so responses vary correctly
Including Authorization in the cache key causes CloudFront to treat requests with different Authorization values (for example, different tokens per user) as different cache objects, fragmenting the cache and lowering hit ratio for public assets.
B
Best answer
Use a CloudFront Cache Policy that excludes Authorization from the cache key
Because the assets are public and do not depend on Authorization, excluding Authorization from the cache key allows all users to share the same cached objects. This reduces cache fragmentation and increases cache hit ratio.
C
Distractor review
Disable caching and always fetch from S3
Disabling caching eliminates reuse and forces every request to hit the origin (higher latency and higher S3/origin load), which is the opposite of improving cache hit ratio.
D
Distractor review
Forward all headers and cookies to the origin to improve correctness
Forwarding extra headers/cookies typically increases cache fragmentation unless they are excluded from the cache key. For public static assets, forwarding does not improve cache reuse and usually worsens hit ratio.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAA-C03 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a CloudFront Cache Policy that excludes Authorization from the cache key — B. CloudFront cache hits depend on the cache key. If Authorization is included in the cache key, then every distinct Authorization value (tokens can vary per user/session) produces a different cache object, dramatically reducing the hit ratio for public JS/CSS. Excluding Authorization from the cache key via an appropriate CloudFront Cache Policy ensures the same cached files are served to all users, maximizing reuse without changing application behavior. A is wrong because it explicitly preserves the cache fragmentation created by per-user Authorization values. C is wrong because removing caching prevents reuse entirely. D is wrong because forwarding more headers/cookies generally increases the number of distinct cache variations (unless carefully controlled), which typically decreases hit ratio for public content.
What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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