The correct combination is Amazon CloudFront for static content, Amazon API Gateway for the REST API, and AWS Lambda for compute. This architecture achieves a serverless web app with global low latency by using CloudFront’s edge caching to serve static assets from locations closest to users, while API Gateway provides a regional or edge-optimized REST endpoint that triggers Lambda functions integrated with DynamoDB. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine global content delivery with serverless compute, often appearing as a distractor where S3 Transfer Acceleration or an Application Load Balancer is incorrectly proposed—remember that ALB is not serverless and Transfer Acceleration only speeds up uploads, not delivery. A common trap is thinking Lambda@Edge is required for the API backend, but it is unnecessary here since API Gateway and Lambda already handle dynamic requests efficiently. Memory tip: “Static to the edge, API to the region, Lambda for the logic.”
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 startup wants to deploy a web application on AWS with a serverless architecture. The application includes static content (HTML, CSS, JS) and a REST API backend using Lambda and DynamoDB. The company wants low latency and high availability globally. Which combination of services should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon CloudFront for static content, Amazon API Gateway for the REST API, and AWS Lambda for compute.
Option A is correct because CloudFront serves static content with low latency, API Gateway provides a REST API endpoint, and Lambda integrates with DynamoDB. Option B is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration is for uploads, not global content delivery. Option C is wrong because ALB is not serverless. Option D is wrong because Lambda Edge runs at edge locations but is not needed for API backend.
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.
✗
Amazon CloudFront for static content, Application Load Balancer for API, and Lambda for compute.
Why it's wrong here
ALB is not serverless and adds cost.
✗
AWS Lambda@Edge for both static content and API.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda@Edge is for lightweight edge processing, not full API.
✓
Amazon CloudFront for static content, Amazon API Gateway for the REST API, and AWS Lambda for compute.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Amazon S3 for static content with Transfer Acceleration, and AWS Lambda for API.
Why it's wrong here
Transfer Acceleration is for uploads, not global distribution.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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: Amazon CloudFront for static content, Amazon API Gateway for the REST API, and AWS Lambda for compute. — Option A is correct because CloudFront serves static content with low latency, API Gateway provides a REST API endpoint, and Lambda integrates with DynamoDB. Option B is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration is for uploads, not global content delivery. Option C is wrong because ALB is not serverless. Option D is wrong because Lambda Edge runs at edge locations but is not needed for API backend.
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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