The answer is that the ALB is terminating HTTPS connections while the SAP application server expects unencrypted DIAP protocol. This is the most likely cause of the SAP GUI login failure because SAP GUI communicates with the application server using the DIAG protocol over TCP port 3200, not HTTP or HTTPS. An Application Load Balancer operates at Layer 7 and expects HTTP-based traffic, so when it terminates the HTTPS listener on port 443, it strips the encryption and forwards the request as HTTP, which the SAP server cannot interpret—it needs raw TCP traffic for DIAG. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of load balancer selection for SAP workloads: ALBs are for web traffic, while SAP GUI requires a Network Load Balancer (NLB) for TCP passthrough. A common trap is assuming HTTPS listeners are correct because they are secure, but SAP GUI’s proprietary protocol bypasses HTTP entirely. Memory tip: “SAP GUI speaks DIAG, not HTTP—use an NLB for TCP, not an ALB for HTTPS.”
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 troubleshooting an issue where SAP users cannot log in to the SAP GUI. The SAP application server is running on an EC2 instance behind an Application Load Balancer (ALB). The ALB is configured to use the HTTPS listener on port 443. Which configuration is most likely causing the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The ALB is terminating HTTPS connections, but the SAP application server expects unencrypted DIAG protocol.
Option B is correct because SAP GUI typically uses DIAG protocol over TCP 3200, not HTTPS. The ALB should have a Network Load Balancer for TCP traffic. Option A is wrong because listener on 443 is fine for HTTPS but not for SAP GUI traffic. Option C is wrong because security group rules are not the primary issue. Option D is wrong because health checks are not directly related to user login.
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.
✗
The ALB's target group is not configured with health checks.
Why it's wrong here
Health checks affect routing but not the protocol mismatch; the main issue is the wrong listener type.
✗
The security group for the ALB does not allow inbound traffic on port 3300.
Why it's wrong here
SAP GUI uses port 3200, not 3300; also, the issue is the protocol, not the port.
✓
The ALB is terminating HTTPS connections, but the SAP application server expects unencrypted DIAG protocol.
Why this is correct
SAP GUI uses DIAG (TCP 3200), not HTTP/HTTPS; an ALB is not suitable for non-HTTP traffic.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The ALB's stickiness settings are misconfigured, causing session persistence issues.
Why it's wrong here
Stickiness is important for SAP but not the root cause; the protocol mismatch is the primary problem.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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 PAS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Technology — This question tests Technology — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The ALB is terminating HTTPS connections, but the SAP application server expects unencrypted DIAG protocol. — Option B is correct because SAP GUI typically uses DIAG protocol over TCP 3200, not HTTPS. The ALB should have a Network Load Balancer for TCP traffic. Option A is wrong because listener on 443 is fine for HTTPS but not for SAP GUI traffic. Option C is wrong because security group rules are not the primary issue. Option D is wrong because health checks are not directly related to user login.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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