hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
350-701 Practice Question: During a cloud migration, an organization notices…
During a cloud migration, an organization notices increased latency in AWS workloads when using Cisco Firepower for traffic inspection. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that latency in cloud inspection is always due to routing misconfigurations (Option B), but the real trap is that undersized virtual appliances are the primary cause when traffic volume exceeds instance capacity, not network topology errors.
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
✓
The Firepower instance is undersized for the traffic volume
When using Cisco Firepower for traffic inspection in AWS, the Firepower instance must process all traffic traversing the virtual appliance. If the instance type (e.g., m5.large) is undersized relative to the throughput demands (e.g., exceeding 1 Gbps), packet processing will queue, causing increased latency. This is a common scaling issue in cloud migrations where on-premises traffic patterns are replicated without adjusting instance sizing.
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 Firepower instance is undersized for the traffic volume
Why this is correct
Undersized instance leads to high CPU and latency.
- ✗
The VPC routing table is misconfigured, causing traffic to hairpin
Why it's wrong here
Hairpinning could add latency, but the most common cause is undersizing.
- ✗
AWS WAF is conflicting with Firepower rules
Why it's wrong here
AWS WAF and Firepower can coexist without conflict.
- ✗
Firepower is inspecting encrypted traffic without SSL decryption
Why it's wrong here
SSL inspection would add latency, but that is a configuration choice.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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