The answer is an Application Load Balancer for HTTPS microservices and a Network Load Balancer for TCP/UDP with static IP. The ALB operates at Layer 7, enabling host-based and path-based routing to direct traffic to the correct microservice, while its health checks automatically reroute requests away from unhealthy targets. The NLB operates at Layer 4, handling both TCP and UDP traffic, and preserves the client’s source IP address, which is critical for firewall allowlisting in real-time services. On the SAA-C03 exam, this pairing tests your understanding of when to use Layer 7 versus Layer 4 load balancing—a common trap is choosing a single load balancer type for both requirements. Remember the memory tip: ALB for “app-level” routing with paths and hosts, NLB for “network-level” static IP and UDP support.
SAA-C03 Design High-Performing Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design high-performing architectures. 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 team is splitting a new workload into two fronts. The first front serves HTTPS microservices that need host- and path-based routing plus health checks. The second front must handle TCP and UDP traffic for a real-time service and preserve static IP addresses for firewall allowlisting. Which two AWS load balancer choices best match these requirements? Select two.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Application Load Balancer
The Application Load Balancer (ALB) is correct because it supports host-based and path-based routing for HTTP/HTTPS traffic, which is essential for the microservices front. It also provides health checks at the target group level, enabling automatic routing away from unhealthy instances. ALB operates at Layer 7, making it ideal for the HTTPS microservices requirement.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Application Load Balancer
Why this is correct
Application Load Balancer supports HTTP and HTTPS routing with host- and path-based rules, making it ideal for microservices.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Network Load Balancer
Why this is correct
Network Load Balancer handles TCP and UDP traffic and can preserve stable IP addresses for allowlisting.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Amazon API Gateway
Why it's wrong here
API Gateway is useful for API management, but it is not a load balancer for arbitrary TCP or UDP traffic.
✗
Amazon CloudFront
Why it's wrong here
CloudFront accelerates content delivery at the edge, but it does not provide the required backend traffic balancing features.
✗
Gateway Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
GatewayLoad Balancer is for inserting third-party network appliances, not for application routing or real-time UDP services.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the GatewayLoad Balancer (GWLB) with the Network Load Balancer (NLB), but GWLB is specifically for transparent network appliances and does not support TCP/UDP traffic for real-time services or static IP preservation in the same way.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the ALB uses listener rules to evaluate incoming requests based on host headers or URL paths, routing them to appropriate target groups, while health checks are performed via HTTP/HTTPS pings to configured endpoints. The NLB operates at Layer 4, preserving the client IP address (via preservation of source IP) and supporting both TCP and UDP protocols, which is critical for real-time services that require static IPs for firewall allowlisting. A common real-world scenario is a gaming platform where the ALB handles REST API calls for matchmaking and the NLB handles real-time game state updates over UDP.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Design High-Performing Architectures — This question tests Design High-Performing Architectures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Application Load Balancer — The Application Load Balancer (ALB) is correct because it supports host-based and path-based routing for HTTP/HTTPS traffic, which is essential for the microservices front. It also provides health checks at the target group level, enabling automatic routing away from unhealthy instances. ALB operates at Layer 7, making it ideal for the HTTPS microservices requirement.
What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "first". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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