The correct combination is AWS Managed Microsoft AD and Amazon ElastiCache for Redis. This works because Managed Microsoft AD provides native Windows authentication via Kerberos, allowing the legacy .NET application to authenticate users with minimal code changes, while ElastiCache for Redis replaces the in-memory session store with a distributed, highly available cache that persists session state across multiple instances. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to modernize legacy applications without rewriting authentication logic—a common trap is choosing Amazon Cognito (designed for external identity federation) or AD Connector (which only proxies to on-premises AD and doesn’t provide a managed directory). DynamoDB is a distractor because it’s not optimized for low-latency session reads and writes like Redis. Memory tip: think “AD for auth, Redis for stash”—the directory handles who you are, the cache handles what you left behind.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
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 .NET application to AWS. The application uses Windows authentication and stores session state in-memory. The company wants to minimize code changes and use AWS managed services. Which combination of AWS services should the company use to modernize the application's authentication and session management?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Managed Microsoft AD and Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Option C is correct because AWS Managed Microsoft AD allows Windows authentication with minimal changes, and ElastiCache for Redis provides a distributed session store. Option A is wrong because Cognito is for external identities. Option B is wrong because AD Connector proxies to on-premises AD. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB is not ideal for session state.
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.
✗
AWS Directory Service for Microsoft Active Directory (AD Connector) and Amazon RDS
Why it's wrong here
AD Connector proxies to on-premises AD, not a managed directory; RDS is not for session storage.
✗
Amazon Cognito and Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
Cognito is for external identity providers, not Windows authentication; DynamoDB can store sessions but requires code changes.
✗
AWS IAM and Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
IAM is for AWS API authentication, not Windows authentication; DynamoDB requires code changes for session storage.
✓
AWS Managed Microsoft AD and Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why this is correct
Managed Microsoft AD provides native Windows authentication; ElastiCache for Redis supports session management with minimal code changes.
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.
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.
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: AWS Managed Microsoft AD and Amazon ElastiCache for Redis — Option C is correct because AWS Managed Microsoft AD allows Windows authentication with minimal changes, and ElastiCache for Redis provides a distributed session store. Option A is wrong because Cognito is for external identities. Option B is wrong because AD Connector proxies to on-premises AD. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB is not ideal for session state.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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