The answer is to launch both instances in the same placement group and enable EBS optimization. This configuration works because a cluster placement group ensures instances are in close physical proximity within a single Availability Zone, drastically reducing network hops and latency, while EBS optimization dedicates network bandwidth specifically for storage traffic, preventing contention between application and database communication. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to reduce network latency between SAP app and DB without changing the architecture—a common trap is assuming cross-AZ setups are acceptable for latency-sensitive SAP workloads, but the exam stresses that even within the same VPC, different Availability Zones introduce measurable delay. Remember the memory tip: “Cluster for closeness, EBS for express lanes”—if you need to reduce network latency between application server and database, always think placement group first, not VPC peering or Global Accelerator, which solve different problems.
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. 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.
An SAP system administrator notices that an SAP S/4HANA system on AWS is experiencing high network latency between the application server and the database server. Both servers are in the same VPC but in different Availability Zones. What is the most effective way to reduce latency?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Launch both instances in the same placement group and enable EBS optimization.
Option D is correct because using an EBS-optimized instance with dedicated network bandwidth and placement groups reduces latency and improves throughput. Option A is wrong because adding more ENIs increases complexity without guaranteed latency reduction. Option B is wrong because VPC peering is for cross-VPC communication, not within the same VPC. Option C is wrong because AWS Global Accelerator is for global traffic, not intra-VPC.
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.
✗
Set up VPC peering between the two subnets.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering is for connecting different VPCs, not subnets within the same VPC.
✗
Deploy AWS Global Accelerator to optimize the traffic path.
Why it's wrong here
Global Accelerator is designed for internet-facing applications, not for traffic within a VPC.
✗
Add multiple Elastic Network Interfaces (ENIs) to the instances.
Why it's wrong here
Multiple ENIs do not reduce latency between instances in different AZs; they are used for network segregation.
✓
Launch both instances in the same placement group and enable EBS optimization.
Why this is correct
Placement groups ensure low-latency network performance between instances, and EBS optimization dedicates bandwidth for storage traffic.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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.
Technology — This question tests Technology — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Launch both instances in the same placement group and enable EBS optimization. — Option D is correct because using an EBS-optimized instance with dedicated network bandwidth and placement groups reduces latency and improves throughput. Option A is wrong because adding more ENIs increases complexity without guaranteed latency reduction. Option B is wrong because VPC peering is for cross-VPC communication, not within the same VPC. Option C is wrong because AWS Global Accelerator is for global traffic, not intra-VPC.
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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