The answer is Elastic Fabric Adapter (EFA), cluster placement groups, and compute-optimized instance types with enhanced networking like p4d or p3dn. EFA bypasses the operating system kernel to provide user-space access for HPC low latency inter-node communication, achieving microsecond-level latency and high bandwidth essential for tightly coupled workloads. Cluster placement groups then physically co-locate instances within a single Availability Zone, minimizing network hops and further reducing latency. On the SAP-C02 exam, this combination tests your ability to distinguish HPC-specific networking from general-purpose services—a common trap is selecting AWS Global Accelerator, which optimizes internet traffic, not inter-node traffic, or VPC peering, which connects separate VPCs rather than improving performance within one. Remember the mnemonic “EFA + Cluster + Compute” to lock in the three correct choices for any tightly coupled HPC scenario.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. 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 is designing a high-performance computing (HPC) workload on AWS. The workload requires tightly coupled inter-node communication with low latency and high bandwidth. Which THREE services or features should the architect consider to meet these requirements? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
EC2 instances with enhanced networking and high-throughput (e.g., p4d, p3dn)
Options A, C, and D are correct. A: Elastic Fabric Adapter (EFA) provides low-latency, high-bandwidth communication for HPC. C: Placement Groups with cluster placement ensure instances are physically close for low network latency. D: Instance types like p4d or p3dn with enhanced networking offer high throughput. Option B is wrong because AWS Global Accelerator is for internet-facing traffic, not inter-node communication. Option E is wrong because VPC peering is for connecting VPCs, not for intra-VPC communication performance.
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.
✓
EC2 instances with enhanced networking and high-throughput (e.g., p4d, p3dn)
Why this is correct
These instance types offer high network bandwidth and EFA support.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
VPC peering between multiple VPCs
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering does not improve performance; it connects separate VPCs.
✗
AWS Global Accelerator
Why it's wrong here
Global Accelerator is for user-facing traffic, not inter-node HPC.
✓
Placement Groups (Cluster Placement Group)
Why this is correct
Cluster placement groups place instances in the same rack, reducing latency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Elastic Fabric Adapter (EFA)
Why this is correct
EFA provides OS-bypass for low latency MPI communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 SAP-C02 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.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: EC2 instances with enhanced networking and high-throughput (e.g., p4d, p3dn) — Options A, C, and D are correct. A: Elastic Fabric Adapter (EFA) provides low-latency, high-bandwidth communication for HPC. C: Placement Groups with cluster placement ensure instances are physically close for low network latency. D: Instance types like p4d or p3dn with enhanced networking offer high throughput. Option B is wrong because AWS Global Accelerator is for internet-facing traffic, not inter-node communication. Option E is wrong because VPC peering is for connecting VPCs, not for intra-VPC communication performance.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SAP-C02 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This SAP-C02 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 SAP-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
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