- A
Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the internet gateway in the private subnet route table
Why wrong: This would allow direct internet access without going through the NAT gateway, which is not the intended design.
- B
Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT gateway in the private subnet route table
This directs all internet-bound traffic from the private subnet to the NAT gateway, which then forwards it to the internet gateway.
- C
Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT gateway in the public subnet route table
Why wrong: The public subnet route table does not affect the private subnet's routing.
- D
Add a route to the NAT gateway's private IP in the private subnet route table
Why wrong: A route to the NAT gateway's private IP is unnecessary; a default route is needed.
SOA-C02 Networking and Content Delivery Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of networking and content delivery. 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. 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 has a VPC with a public subnet and a private subnet. An EC2 instance in the private subnet needs to download patches from the internet. The company has a NAT gateway in the public subnet. Which of the following route table configurations is required for the private subnet to enable internet access through the NAT gateway?
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
Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT gateway in the private subnet route table
Option C is correct because the private subnet's route table must have a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the NAT gateway. Option A is wrong because a route to the internet gateway would bypass the NAT gateway. Option B is wrong because the NAT gateway is in the public subnet. Option D is wrong because the private subnet does not need a direct route to the internet gateway.
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.
- ✗
Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the internet gateway in the private subnet route table
- ✓
Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT gateway in the private subnet route table
- ✗
Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT gateway in the public subnet route table
Why it's wrong here
The public subnet route table does not affect the private subnet's routing.
- ✗
Add a route to the NAT gateway's private IP in the private subnet route table
Why it's wrong here
A route to the NAT gateway's private IP is unnecessary; a default route is needed.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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 SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Networking and Content Delivery — This question tests Networking and Content Delivery — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a route to 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to the NAT gateway in the private subnet route table — Option C is correct because the private subnet's route table must have a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the NAT gateway. Option A is wrong because a route to the internet gateway would bypass the NAT gateway. Option B is wrong because the NAT gateway is in the public subnet. Option D is wrong because the private subnet does not need a direct route to the internet gateway.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 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 SOA-C02 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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SOA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SOA-C02 exam.
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