CV0-004 Cloud Architecture and Design Practice Question
A company is designing a VPC in AWS. They need to host a web application with a public-facing load balancer, web servers in private subnets, and a database in a separate private subnet. Which network architecture is most secure and aligns with best practices?
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
✓
Public subnet for load balancer, private subnet for web servers, separate private subnet for database
A three-tier architecture with a public subnet for the load balancer, private subnets for web servers, and a separate private subnet for the database provides security and isolation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Public subnet for load balancer, private subnet for web servers and database together
Why it's wrong here
Co-locating web servers and the database in one private subnet removes the subnet-level separation the stem specifies, so a compromised web tier shares a network boundary with the database. Separate private subnets let security groups and routing isolate the data tier. This suits small single-tier deployments.
- ✓
Public subnet for load balancer, private subnet for web servers, separate private subnet for database
Why this is correct
Placing the load balancer in a public subnet exposes only it to the internet, while web servers and database sit in private subnets without inbound internet routing. This tiered separation limits lateral movement and satisfies least-exposure best practise.
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All resources in public subnets with security groups restricting access
Why it's wrong here
Public subnets expose every instance to inbound internet routing, so security groups become the sole barrier rather than network isolation. The stem requires web servers and the database in private subnets, reachable only via the load balancer. Public subnets suit internet-facing load balancers and bastion hosts.
- ✗
All resources in private subnets with a VPN connection
Why it's wrong here
A VPN serves administrative or hybrid connectivity, not anonymous public users; placing the load balancer in a private subnet makes it unreachable from the internet. The stem needs a public-facing load balancer, which requires a public subnet. VPNs suit site-to-site links and private administration.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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