The answer is that the subnet’s route table rtb-22222222 does not have a route to the VPC Gateway Endpoint for S3. A Gateway Endpoint works by adding a prefix list route for Amazon S3 to a specific route table; only subnets associated with that route table can use the endpoint to access S3 privately. Since the endpoint was associated only with rtb-11111111, the EC2 instance in the subnet using rtb-22222222 lacks the necessary route, so its traffic defaults to the internet or a NAT device instead. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that VPC Gateway Endpoint route table association is per-route-table, not per-VPC—a common trap is assuming the endpoint automatically applies to all subnets. Remember: a Gateway Endpoint is invisible without the route; the route table is the key. Memory tip: “No route, no S3 route.”
SOA-C02 Networking and Content Delivery Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of networking and content delivery. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. A VPC Gateway Endpoint for S3 is created and associated with route table rtb-11111111. However, an EC2 instance in a subnet that uses route table rtb-22222222 cannot access S3. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The subnet's route table (rtb-22222222) does not have a route to the VPC endpoint.
Option B is correct because the Gateway Endpoint is only associated with rtb-11111111, not rtb-22222222. Option A is wrong because the state is available. Option C is wrong because the policy allows s3:GetObject. Option D is wrong because S3 is a regional service, but the endpoint is in the correct region.
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.
✗
The VPC endpoint is not in the 'available' state.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the state shows 'available'.
✓
The subnet's route table (rtb-22222222) does not have a route to the VPC endpoint.
Why this is correct
Correct because the endpoint is only associated with rtb-11111111.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
The endpoint policy does not allow the s3:GetObject action.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the policy allows s3:GetObject.
✗
The VPC endpoint is in a different region from the S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the endpoint is in us-east-1, same as the bucket likely.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because the state shows 'available'.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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: The subnet's route table (rtb-22222222) does not have a route to the VPC endpoint. — Option B is correct because the Gateway Endpoint is only associated with rtb-11111111, not rtb-22222222. Option A is wrong because the state is available. Option C is wrong because the policy allows s3:GetObject. Option D is wrong because S3 is a regional service, but the endpoint is in the correct region.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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