The answer is to deploy a sidecar proxy container in the same pod to translate the protocol. This approach works because the sidecar intercepts the legacy proprietary binary protocol over TCP, translates it into standard HTTP for inter-service communication, and preserves backward compatibility without modifying the legacy application code. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the sidecar pattern within Amazon EKS as a migration strategy for containerized microservices, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose a Network Load Balancer or API Gateway—neither of which can perform protocol translation. The key insight is that the sidecar runs in the same pod, sharing the network namespace, so it can handle the proprietary protocol at the application layer while the rest of the architecture uses modern protocols. Memory tip: “Sidecar speaks the old tongue so the pod can join the new song.”
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 migrating a legacy application that uses a proprietary binary protocol over TCP. They want to modernize to a containerized microservices architecture on Amazon EKS. The protocol must be preserved for backward compatibility. Which approach should they take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy a sidecar proxy container in the same pod to translate the protocol
A sidecar proxy running on the same pod as the legacy container can handle the proprietary protocol and translate it to HTTP for other microservices. Option A (Network Load Balancer) cannot translate protocols. Option B (API Gateway) requires HTTP. Option D (Refactor the protocol) is too risky and time-consuming.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use Amazon API Gateway to expose the legacy service as a REST API
Deploy a sidecar proxy container in the same pod to translate the protocol
Why this is correct
The sidecar can translate the proprietary protocol to HTTP for internal communication.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Refactor the legacy application to use HTTP
Why it's wrong here
Refactoring is high risk and may not be feasible for a legacy application.
✗
Use a Network Load Balancer to route TCP traffic to the legacy container
Why it's wrong here
NLB does not translate protocols; microservices would still need to speak TCP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy a sidecar proxy container in the same pod to translate the protocol — A sidecar proxy running on the same pod as the legacy container can handle the proprietary protocol and translate it to HTTP for other microservices. Option A (Network Load Balancer) cannot translate protocols. Option B (API Gateway) requires HTTP. Option D (Refactor the protocol) is too risky and time-consuming.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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