The answer is to add a route in the VPC route table directing traffic to the on-premises network via Direct Connect. This is correct because the EC2 instance in a private subnet needs a defined path to reach the on-premises file server, and Direct Connect provides a dedicated, private network link for that traffic. By adding a route for the on-premises IP range to the Direct Connect virtual private gateway, the VPC knows to forward the EC2 instance’s requests over that connection, enabling access to the installation media. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid networking and the distinction between S3 endpoints and on-premises routing—a common trap is assuming an S3 endpoint can reach non-S3 resources. Remember, Direct Connect routes are for on-premises file access, not for S3 or internet traffic. Memory tip: “Direct Connect for direct on-premises access, not for S3.”
PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. 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 retail company is migrating its SAP ERP system to AWS. The system includes an SAP HANA database (1 TB) and an SAP NetWeaver application server. The migration strategy is to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) for the database and then manually install the application server on an EC2 instance. The network connection is AWS Direct Connect with 1 Gbps bandwidth. During the migration, the DMS task for the database completes successfully, but the application server installation fails because the SAP installation media is not accessible. The installation media is stored on an on-premises file server. The EC2 instance for the application server is in a private subnet with no direct internet access. The administrator has created a VPC endpoint for S3 to access the media, but the media is not in S3. Which step should the administrator take to make the installation media available?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a route in the VPC route table to direct traffic to the on-premises network via Direct Connect.
Since the media is on-premises, the EC2 instance needs access to the on-premises file server. Option A is correct because using Direct Connect, the private subnet can route to on-premises via the VPC route table. Option B is wrong because the media is not in S3. Option C is wrong because the media is not on the internet. Option D is wrong because the media is not in S3.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Copy the installation media to an S3 bucket and use the VPC endpoint to access it.
Why it's wrong here
Media is not in S3 yet; this would require additional steps.
✓
Add a route in the VPC route table to direct traffic to the on-premises network via Direct Connect.
Why this is correct
Enables the EC2 instance to reach the on-premises file server.
Attach an internet gateway to the VPC and assign a public IP to the EC2 instance.
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessary and less secure; media is on-premises.
✗
Use AWS Storage Gateway to cache the media in S3.
Why it's wrong here
Not needed; Direct Connect already provides connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PAS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Migration — This question tests Migration — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a route in the VPC route table to direct traffic to the on-premises network via Direct Connect. — Since the media is on-premises, the EC2 instance needs access to the on-premises file server. Option A is correct because using Direct Connect, the private subnet can route to on-premises via the VPC route table. Option B is wrong because the media is not in S3. Option C is wrong because the media is not on the internet. Option D is wrong because the media is not in S3.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PAS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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