- A
Web tier in public subnet, app tier in private subnet, database tier in a separate private subnet with no internet gateway
This design isolates tiers appropriately: web is public, app is private, database is isolated.
- B
Web tier in public subnet, app and database tiers in the same private subnet
Why wrong: App and database should be in separate subnets for security and manageability.
- C
All servers in private subnets with a NAT gateway for inbound traffic
Why wrong: Private subnets cannot receive inbound internet traffic; NAT is for outbound only.
- D
All servers in the same public subnet with security groups
Why wrong: Putting all servers in a public subnet exposes app and database to the internet unnecessarily.
Question 114 of 997
CV0-004 Cloud Architecture and Design Practice Question
This CV0-004 practice question tests your understanding of cloud architecture and design. 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 cloud architect is designing a VPC for a three-tier web application. The web servers must be accessible from the internet, the application servers should only be reachable from the web tier, and the database servers should not have any public IP addresses and should be isolated. Which subnet design meets these requirements?
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
✓
Web tier in public subnet, app tier in private subnet, database tier in a separate private subnet with no internet gateway
A typical three-tier architecture uses public subnets for web servers (with internet gateway), private subnets for application servers (with NAT for outbound if needed), and isolated database subnets with no internet access. Security groups/NACLs enforce traffic rules.
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.
- ✓
Web tier in public subnet, app tier in private subnet, database tier in a separate private subnet with no internet gateway
Why this is correct
This design isolates tiers appropriately: web is public, app is private, database is isolated.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Web tier in public subnet, app and database tiers in the same private subnet
Why it's wrong here
App and database should be in separate subnets for security and manageability.
- ✗
All servers in private subnets with a NAT gateway for inbound traffic
Why it's wrong here
Private subnets cannot receive inbound internet traffic; NAT is for outbound only.
- ✗
All servers in the same public subnet with security groups
Why it's wrong here
Putting all servers in a public subnet exposes app and database to the internet unnecessarily.
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.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Visual reference
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 CV0-004 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CV0-004 question test?
Cloud Architecture and Design — This question tests Cloud Architecture and Design — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Web tier in public subnet, app tier in private subnet, database tier in a separate private subnet with no internet gateway — A typical three-tier architecture uses public subnets for web servers (with internet gateway), private subnets for application servers (with NAT for outbound if needed), and isolated database subnets with no internet access. Security groups/NACLs enforce traffic rules.
What should I do if I get this CV0-004 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 CV0-004 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CV0-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CV0-004 exam.
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