Quick Answer
The answer is VPC peering, which is the correct solution because it enables private connectivity between two VPCs in the same region using the AWS backbone network, offering high throughput with no bandwidth limits and no single point of failure. This approach is the most cost-effective option since it incurs no additional cost beyond standard data transfer charges, making it ideal for non-overlapping CIDR blocks. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of when to choose VPC peering over alternatives like transit gateways or VPNs—a common trap is selecting a transit gateway for simplicity, but remember that VPC peering is simpler and cheaper for just two VPCs in the same region. A helpful memory tip: "Peer two in the same zone, keep the cost alone."
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 two Amazon VPCs in the same AWS Region with non-overlapping CIDR blocks. The SysOps administrator needs to establish private connectivity between the two VPCs with high throughput and minimal cost. Which solution should the administrator implement?
AWS Transit Gateway
Why wrong: unnecessary for the stated requirement and more expensive for just two VPCs.
VPC peering
Simple, low cost, high throughput private connectivity for two VPCs.
AWS Direct Connect
Why wrong: Used for on-premises to AWS connectivity, not VPC-to-VPC.
AWS VPN CloudHub
Why wrong: Used for connecting branch offices to AWS, not VPC-to-VPC.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
VPC peering
VPC peering is the correct solution because it establishes private connectivity between two VPCs in the same AWS Region using the AWS backbone network, with no bandwidth limits and no single point of failure. It incurs no additional cost beyond data transfer charges, making it the most cost-effective option for high-throughput connectivity between two VPCs with non-overlapping CIDR blocks.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Transit Gateway
Why it's wrong here
unnecessary for the stated requirement and more expensive for just two VPCs.
VPC peering
Why this is correct
Simple, low cost, high throughput private connectivity for two VPCs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Used for on-premises to AWS connectivity, not VPC-to-VPC.
AWS VPN CloudHub
Why it's wrong here
Used for connecting branch offices to AWS, not VPC-to-VPC.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often choose AWS Transit Gateway because they assume it is required for any multi-VPC connectivity, but VPC peering is simpler and cheaper for connecting exactly two VPCs with non-overlapping CIDRs.
Detailed technical explanation
VPC peering uses the existing AWS infrastructure to route traffic between VPCs via private IP addresses, leveraging the same high-availability network that inter-AZ traffic uses. It supports transitive routing only through additional peering connections or a transit gateway, and it does not support overlapping CIDR blocks or edge-to-edge routing. In a real-world scenario, VPC peering is ideal for microservices architectures where two VPCs need direct, low-latency communication without intermediary devices.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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Networking and Content Delivery — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Networking and Content Delivery — This question tests Networking and Content Delivery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: VPC peering — VPC peering is the correct solution because it establishes private connectivity between two VPCs in the same AWS Region using the AWS backbone network, with no bandwidth limits and no single point of failure. It incurs no additional cost beyond data transfer charges, making it the most cost-effective option for high-throughput connectivity between two VPCs with non-overlapping CIDR blocks.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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