The correct answer is to place the database servers in a private subnet and configure the security group to allow inbound traffic from the web tier's security group. This works because a private subnet has no direct route to the internet, so the database tier is inherently isolated from external access, while security group referencing creates a trusted, internal communication path that permits only the web tier’s traffic. On the CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-004 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation and cloud security groups—a common trap is to mistakenly allow a specific IP range instead of referencing the web tier’s security group, which would break if the web tier scales or changes. Remember the memory tip: “Private subnet, group-to-group—no internet, just web-to-database loop.”
CV0-004 Operations and Support Practice Question
This CV0-004 practice question tests your understanding of operations and support. 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 administrator is designing a multi-tier application. The database tier must not be directly accessible from the internet, but the web tier must be able to connect to it. Which of the following should the administrator implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Place the database servers in a private subnet and configure the security group to allow inbound traffic from the web tier's security group.
Option D is correct because placing the database servers in a private subnet ensures they have no direct internet route, meeting the security requirement. By configuring the security group to allow inbound traffic only from the web tier's security group, you enable the web tier to connect to the database while blocking all other traffic, including from the internet. This leverages AWS security group referencing (or similar cloud provider feature) to create a trusted, internal communication path.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Implement an application load balancer in front of the database.
Why it's wrong here
A load balancer adds complexity and is not needed for database access from the web tier.
✗
Place the database servers in a public subnet and restrict the security group.
Why it's wrong here
A public subnet has a route to the internet, making the database potentially accessible from the internet.
✗
Use a VPN connection for the web tier to access the database.
Why it's wrong here
A VPN is unnecessary since the web tier and database are in the same VPC.
✓
Place the database servers in a private subnet and configure the security group to allow inbound traffic from the web tier's security group.
Why this is correct
This isolates the database from the internet and allows only the web tier to connect.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'restricting the security group' with 'placing in a private subnet,' failing to realize that a public subnet inherently provides internet accessibility regardless of security group rules, which only filter traffic but do not remove the public route.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In cloud networking, private subnets use a route table with no default route to an internet gateway, ensuring instances have no public IP address and cannot be reached from the internet. Security group rules can reference other security groups (e.g., allow inbound TCP port 3306 from sg-web), which dynamically updates as web tier instances scale, providing a more secure and manageable solution than IP-based rules. This pattern is fundamental to the 'defense in depth' strategy and is commonly used in multi-tier architectures to enforce least-privilege access.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Operations and Support — This question tests Operations and Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place the database servers in a private subnet and configure the security group to allow inbound traffic from the web tier's security group. — Option D is correct because placing the database servers in a private subnet ensures they have no direct internet route, meeting the security requirement. By configuring the security group to allow inbound traffic only from the web tier's security group, you enable the web tier to connect to the database while blocking all other traffic, including from the internet. This leverages AWS security group referencing (or similar cloud provider feature) to create a trusted, internal communication path.
What should I do if I get this CV0-004 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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