The answer is to use AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM) to share the transit gateway with authorized accounts. This is correct because RAM allows you to create a resource share that grants specific accounts or organizational units (OUs) permission to create transit gateway attachments, while the transit gateway itself remains centrally managed in the network account. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cross-account networking governance, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose Service Control Policies (SCPs) or VPC peering—remember that SCPs can only deny actions on resources that are already shared, and VPC peering is a separate connectivity method. A common memory tip is to think of RAM as the "key" that unlocks the transit gateway for authorized accounts, while SCPs are the "lock" that prevents misuse after access is granted.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions for organizational complexity. 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 has a multi-account environment with a centralized network account that hosts a transit gateway. Application accounts need to connect to the transit gateway. The network team wants to ensure that only authorized accounts can create attachments. Which method should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM) to share the transit gateway with authorized accounts.
Option C is correct because the transit gateway can be shared with accounts via AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM), and a resource share can be created with specific accounts or OUs. Option A is wrong because SCPs can deny the creation of attachments only if they are not shared. Option B is wrong because VPC peering is separate from transit gateway. Option D is wrong because Direct Connect is for on-premises connectivity.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 AWS Direct Connect to connect each application account to the transit gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is for physical connections, not for sharing.
✗
Establish VPC peering connections between each application account and the network account.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering does not use transit gateway attachments.
✓
Use AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM) to share the transit gateway with authorized accounts.
Why this is correct
RAM allows sharing of transit gateways with specific accounts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create an SCP that denies ec2:CreateTransitGatewayVpcAttachment for all accounts except the network account.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs cannot selectively allow based on account; they deny globally.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM) to share the transit gateway with authorized accounts. — Option C is correct because the transit gateway can be shared with accounts via AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM), and a resource share can be created with specific accounts or OUs. Option A is wrong because SCPs can deny the creation of attachments only if they are not shared. Option B is wrong because VPC peering is separate from transit gateway. Option D is wrong because Direct Connect is for on-premises connectivity.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.