The answer is a listener rule with a path pattern condition and a target group. Path-based routing on an Application Load Balancer works by evaluating incoming requests against listener rules that contain conditions, such as a specific URL path like /api or /images; when a match is found, the ALB forwards the traffic to the corresponding target group, which holds the EC2 instances designated to handle that path. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to decouple routing logic from infrastructure—a common trap is confusing listener rules with security groups or subnets, which control access and network placement, not traffic distribution. Remember that the listener rule is the “if-then” logic, and the target group is the destination; without both, path-based routing cannot function. A useful memory tip: think of the listener rule as the signpost pointing to the correct lane, and the target group as the lane itself.
SOA-C02 Networking and Content Delivery Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of networking and content delivery. 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.
A company has an Application Load Balancer (ALB) that distributes traffic to EC2 instances. The company wants to enable path-based routing to send requests to different target groups. Which TWO resources must be created to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Target group for each backend service
Option B (Listener rule) and Option D (Target group) are correct. A listener rule with conditions (e.g., path pattern) routes requests to the appropriate target group. Option A is wrong because a Network Load Balancer is not used. Option C is wrong because a security group is for traffic filtering, not routing. Option E is wrong because a subnet is a network component, not a routing construct.
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.
✗
Subnet for the ALB
Why it's wrong here
Subnets are network locations, not routing mechanisms.
✓
Target group for each backend service
Why this is correct
Target groups group the instances for each service.
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 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 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.
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: Target group for each backend service — Option B (Listener rule) and Option D (Target group) are correct. A listener rule with conditions (e.g., path pattern) routes requests to the appropriate target group. Option A is wrong because a Network Load Balancer is not used. Option C is wrong because a security group is for traffic filtering, not routing. Option E is wrong because a subnet is a network component, not a routing construct.
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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Question Discussion
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