- A
Move all instances to private subnets and use AWS Direct Connect for user access.
Why wrong: Direct Connect is a paid service and may increase costs.
- B
Use a VPC Gateway Endpoint for Amazon S3 to keep S3 traffic within AWS.
Gateway endpoints are free and reduce data transfer costs to S3.
- C
Use Amazon CloudFront to cache and serve static content.
CloudFront reduces data transfer from EC2 to internet.
- D
Use an Application Load Balancer to distribute traffic.
Why wrong: ALB does not inherently reduce data transfer costs.
- E
Use a larger NAT Gateway to improve throughput.
Why wrong: Larger NAT Gateway increases costs.
Question 1,120 of 1,546
SOA-C02 VPC Gateway Endpoint Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of cost and performance optimization. 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. A key principle to apply: vPC Gateway Endpoint. 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 SysOps administrator needs to reduce data transfer costs for a web application hosted on EC2 instances in a VPC. The application serves content to users over the internet. Which TWO actions will help reduce data transfer costs? (Choose TWO.)
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
✓
Use a VPC Gateway Endpoint for Amazon S3 to keep S3 traffic within AWS.
The correct answers are B and C. Using a VPC Gateway Endpoint for Amazon S3 allows instances to access S3 over the AWS network without traversing the internet, reducing data transfer costs. Amazon CloudFront caches content at edge locations worldwide, so users receive content from edge locations instead of the EC2 origin, reducing data transfer from EC2 to the internet. Option A is incorrect because migrating to private subnets and using AWS Direct Connect does not serve users over the internet; Direct Connect is a dedicated network connection that does not reduce data transfer costs for internet users. Option D is incorrect because an Application Load Balancer distributes traffic but does not inherently reduce data transfer costs; it may even add cost. Option E is incorrect because a larger NAT Gateway increases cost and does not reduce data transfer costs for outbound traffic.
Key principle: VPC Gateway Endpoint
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Move all instances to private subnets and use AWS Direct Connect for user access.
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is a paid service and may increase costs.
- ✓
Use a VPC Gateway Endpoint for Amazon S3 to keep S3 traffic within AWS.
- ✓
Use Amazon CloudFront to cache and serve static content.
Why this is correct
CloudFront reduces data transfer from EC2 to internet.
Related concept
VPC Gateway Endpoint
- ✗
Use an Application Load Balancer to distribute traffic.
Why it's wrong here
ALB does not inherently reduce data transfer costs.
- ✗
Use a larger NAT Gateway to improve throughput.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- VPC Gateway Endpoint
- Amazon CloudFront
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
VPC Gateway Endpoint
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
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review vPC Gateway Endpoint, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Cost and Performance Optimization — study guide chapter
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Cost and Performance Optimization practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Cost and Performance Optimization — This question tests Cost and Performance Optimization — VPC Gateway Endpoint.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a VPC Gateway Endpoint for Amazon S3 to keep S3 traffic within AWS. — The correct answers are B and C. Using a VPC Gateway Endpoint for Amazon S3 allows instances to access S3 over the AWS network without traversing the internet, reducing data transfer costs. Amazon CloudFront caches content at edge locations worldwide, so users receive content from edge locations instead of the EC2 origin, reducing data transfer from EC2 to the internet. Option A is incorrect because migrating to private subnets and using AWS Direct Connect does not serve users over the internet; Direct Connect is a dedicated network connection that does not reduce data transfer costs for internet users. Option D is incorrect because an Application Load Balancer distributes traffic but does not inherently reduce data transfer costs; it may even add cost. Option E is incorrect because a larger NAT Gateway increases cost and does not reduce data transfer costs for outbound traffic.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review vPC Gateway Endpoint, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
VPC Gateway Endpoint
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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