Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Directory Service for Microsoft Active Directory, Simple AD, and AD Connector. These three services are correct because they each support LDAP authentication with minimal application changes: AWS Managed Microsoft AD provides a native LDAP-compatible directory in the cloud, Simple AD offers a low-cost LDAP-compatible option based on Samba, and AD Connector acts as a relay to forward LDAP requests to an existing on-premises Active Directory without migrating directory data. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to integrate legacy LDAP authentication into AWS while avoiding application rewrites—a common scenario in migration-focused questions. A frequent trap is selecting Amazon Cognito, which handles external identity providers like social logins, not LDAP; another is choosing IAM, which manages AWS resource permissions, not directory authentication. Memory tip: think of the three as “cloud-native AD, budget AD, and bridge AD” to recall Managed Microsoft AD, Simple AD, and AD Connector for LDAP integration.
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. 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 uses a custom authentication mechanism that relies on LDAP. The company wants to minimize changes to the application. Which THREE services should the company consider for integrating LDAP authentication? (Choose THREE.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
AWS Directory Service Simple AD
Simple AD is a low-cost LDAP directory.
AWS Directory Service AD Connector
AD Connector proxies LDAP to an on-premises directory.
AWS Directory Service for Microsoft Active Directory
Provides full LDAP support.
Amazon Cognito user pools
Why wrong: Cognito is for external identity providers, not LDAP.
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Why wrong: IAM does not support LDAP.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Directory Service Simple AD
A, C, and D are correct because AWS Managed Microsoft AD provides LDAP, Simple AD is a low-cost LDAP-compatible directory, and AD Connector relays LDAP requests to on-premises AD. B is wrong because Cognito is for external identity providers. E is wrong because IAM does not provide LDAP authentication.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Directory Service Simple AD
AWS Directory Service AD Connector
AWS Directory Service for Microsoft Active Directory
Why this is correct
Provides full LDAP support.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon Cognito user pools
Why it's wrong here
Cognito is for external identity providers, not LDAP.
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Why it's wrong here
IAM does not support LDAP.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: AWS Directory Service Simple AD — A, C, and D are correct because AWS Managed Microsoft AD provides LDAP, Simple AD is a low-cost LDAP-compatible directory, and AD Connector relays LDAP requests to on-premises AD. B is wrong because Cognito is for external identity providers. E is wrong because IAM does not provide LDAP authentication.
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.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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