SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. A solutions architect is troubleshooting why EC2 instances launched in subnet-11111111 cannot access the internet. The subnet is in a VPC with an internet gateway attached. The route table for the subnet has a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the internet gateway. What is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume a route to an internet gateway is sufficient for internet access, overlooking the requirement that the instance must have a public IP address for the internet gateway to route traffic correctly.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The subnet's auto-assign public IP setting is disabled
The most likely cause is that the subnet's auto-assign public IP setting is disabled. Even though the subnet has a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to an internet gateway, EC2 instances launched in that subnet will not receive a public IP address automatically unless the subnet's 'Auto-assign public IPv4 address' setting is enabled. Without a public IP (or an Elastic IP), the instance cannot communicate with the internet through the internet gateway, as the internet gateway requires a public IP for return traffic routing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The subnet's auto-assign public IP setting is disabled
Why this is correct
MapPublicIpOnLaunch is false, so instances lack public IPs.
- ✗
The internet gateway is not attached to the VPC
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit implies it is attached.
- ✗
The subnet needs a NAT gateway for internet access
Why it's wrong here
A NAT gateway is needed for private subnets, but this subnet can be public if it assigns public IPs.
- ✗
The subnet's route table does not have a route to the internet gateway
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit states the route exists.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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