The correct answer is to use AWS Global Accelerator to provide two static anycast IP addresses for the Application Load Balancer, and to associate an AWS WAF web ACL with the ALB for security. Global Accelerator assigns two fixed, static IP addresses that remain consistent for whitelisting by third-party APIs, while the ALB handles traffic distribution to EC2 instances. This approach eliminates the need for a Network Load Balancer with Elastic IPs, which is a common but unnecessary complexity. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to meet static IP requirements without over-engineering—many candidates mistakenly add an NLB or NAT Gateway, but Global Accelerator directly solves the whitelisting need. A key trap is confusing outbound NAT Gateway use cases with inbound static IP requirements. Memory tip: think “GA for static, WAF for safety”—Global Accelerator gives you the fixed addresses, and WAF protects the ALB without extra infrastructure.
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 migrating a legacy application to AWS. The application requires static IP addresses for whitelisting by third-party APIs. The company plans to use an Application Load Balancer with EC2 instances. Which two steps should the company take to ensure the ALB has a consistent set of IP addresses? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Place the ALB behind an AWS Global Accelerator.
Using AWS Global Accelerator provides two static anycast IP addresses. Associating the ALB with a WAF protects the application. Option B (NLB with EIP) is not required if using Global Accelerator. Option D (NATGateway) is for outbound traffic. Option E (Route 53) does not provide static IP.
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 a NAT Gateway with Elastic IPs for outbound traffic.
Why it's wrong here
NATGateway provides outbound static IP, not inbound for ALB.
✗
Place a Network Load Balancer with Elastic IP addresses in front of the ALB.
Why it's wrong here
NLB with EIP can provide static IP but adds complexity; Global Accelerator is simpler.
✗
Use Amazon Route 53 with an A record pointing to the ALB.
Global Accelerator provides static IP addresses that front the ALB.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Associate an AWS WAF web ACL with the ALB.
Why this is correct
WAF is needed for security but not for static IP; however, the question asks for two steps and this is a recommended practice.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place the ALB behind an AWS Global Accelerator. — Using AWS Global Accelerator provides two static anycast IP addresses. Associating the ALB with a WAF protects the application. Option B (NLB with EIP) is not required if using Global Accelerator. Option D (NAT Gateway) is for outbound traffic. Option E (Route 53) does not provide static IP.
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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