- A
Configure proxy protocol v2 on the target group
Correct. Proxy protocol v2 preserves client source IP by adding a header that backend instances can parse and log.
- B
Ensure the NLB is configured with a subnet from each Availability Zone and the targets are in the same subnets
Why wrong: Incorrect. While placing targets in the same subnets as the NLB can help preserve source IP without proxy protocol, it is not a requirement. The condition stated in this option is not necessary for source IP preservation.
- C
Enable target group stickiness
Why wrong: Incorrect. Target group stickiness is for session persistence, not source IP preservation.
- D
Enable cross-zone load balancing on the NLB
Why wrong: Incorrect. Cross-zone load balancing distributes traffic across Availability Zones, but does not preserve source IP.
SCS-C02 Proxy Protocol v2 Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: proxy Protocol v2. 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 uses Network Load Balancer (NLB) in front of a fleet of EC2 instances in private subnets. Security team requires that the source IP addresses of clients be preserved in the access logs of the backend instances. Which configuration should the security engineer verify?
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
Configure proxy protocol v2 on the target group
Option A is correct because Network Load Balancer can preserve client source IP by enabling proxy protocol v2 on the target group. This adds a header containing the original client IP, which backend instances can log. Option B is incorrect because NLB can preserve source IP even when targets are in different subnets if proxy protocol is used. Options C and D do not affect source IP preservation.
Key principle: Proxy Protocol v2
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure proxy protocol v2 on the target group
Why this is correct
Correct. Proxy protocol v2 preserves client source IP by adding a header that backend instances can parse and log.
Related concept
Proxy Protocol v2
- ✗
Ensure the NLB is configured with a subnet from each Availability Zone and the targets are in the same subnets
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While placing targets in the same subnets as the NLB can help preserve source IP without proxy protocol, it is not a requirement. The condition stated in this option is not necessary for source IP preservation.
- ✗
Enable target group stickiness
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Target group stickiness is for session persistence, not source IP preservation.
- ✗
Enable cross-zone load balancing on the NLB
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Cross-zone load balancing distributes traffic across Availability Zones, but does not preserve source IP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often assume that subnet alignment is required for source IP preservation with NLB. However, if targets are in different subnets, proxy protocol can still preserve the client IP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when an NLB forwards traffic to targets in the same subnet, it uses the same network interface (ENI) for both the listener and the target, so the source IP remains the original client IP. If targets are in different subnets, the NLB must route traffic through its own ENI, which performs source NAT (SNAT) to the NLB's private IP. This behavior is defined by AWS VPC networking and is independent of Proxy Protocol, which is an optional enhancement for passing metadata.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Proxy Protocol v2
- Network Load Balancer (NLB)
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Proxy Protocol v2
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review proxy Protocol v2, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Proxy Protocol v2.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure proxy protocol v2 on the target group — Option A is correct because Network Load Balancer can preserve client source IP by enabling proxy protocol v2 on the target group. This adds a header containing the original client IP, which backend instances can log. Option B is incorrect because NLB can preserve source IP even when targets are in different subnets if proxy protocol is used. Options C and D do not affect source IP preservation.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review proxy Protocol v2, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Proxy Protocol v2
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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