- A
VLAN
Why wrong: A VLAN could segment the server logically, but without a firewall controlling access, it does not provide the same level of security isolation as a DMZ.
- B
DMZ
A DMZ is specifically designed to host public-facing services while isolating them from the internal network.
- C
VPN
Why wrong: A VPN is used to create an encrypted tunnel for remote access, not to isolate a public server.
- D
NAT
Why wrong: NAT translates private IPs to public IPs but does not provide the isolated network segment needed.
Question 361 of 520
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 network administrator is configuring a firewall to allow external users to securely access an internal web server. Which security technique should be used to place the web server in a separate, isolated network segment that is still accessible from the internet?
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
✓
DMZ
A DMZ (demilitarized zone) is a separate, isolated network segment that exposes internal services, such as a web server, to external users while keeping the internal LAN secure. By placing the web server in the DMZ, the firewall can allow inbound traffic from the internet to the DMZ while blocking direct access to the internal network, enforcing strict access control policies.
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.
- ✗
VLAN
- ✓
DMZ
Why this is correct
A DMZ is specifically designed to host public-facing services while isolating them from the internal network.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
VPN
Why it's wrong here
A VPN is used to create an encrypted tunnel for remote access, not to isolate a public server.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking: 'A remote employee needs to securely access internal resources from a public Wi-Fi network. Which technology should be used?' In that scenario, a VPN is correct because it provides an encrypted connection to the internal network.
- ✗
NAT
Why it's wrong here
NAT translates private IPs to public IPs but does not provide the isolated network segment needed.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking how to allow multiple internal devices to share a single public IP address when accessing the internet, or how to hide internal IP addresses from external networks.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓DMZCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A DMZ is specifically designed to host public-facing services while isolating them from the internal network.
✗VPNWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for remote access to a network, but it does not place a server in a separate, isolated network segment accessible from the internet. The question asks for isolating the web server itself, not providing secure remote access.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking: 'A remote employee needs to securely access internal resources from a public Wi-Fi network. Which technology should be used?' In that scenario, a VPN is correct because it provides an encrypted connection to the internal network.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse VPN with DMZ because both involve security and external access, but VPN is about securing the connection, not segmenting the server.
✗NATWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
NAT translates private IP addresses to a public IP but does not place the web server in a separate, isolated network segment; it only modifies address translation, not network segmentation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking how to allow multiple internal devices to share a single public IP address when accessing the internet, or how to hide internal IP addresses from external networks.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse NAT with network isolation because NAT is often used with firewalls and can obscure internal addresses, but it does not create a separate network segment like a DMZ does.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse VLANs with security isolation, assuming a VLAN alone provides the same protection as a DMZ, but VLANs lack the firewall-enforced access controls and segmentation from the internet that a DMZ requires.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A DMZ typically uses a three-legged firewall architecture with separate interfaces for the internet, DMZ, and internal LAN, or a pair of firewalls (front-end and back-end) to enforce strict traffic flows. In practice, the DMZ subnet is often assigned a public IP range or uses destination NAT (DNAT) to map a public IP to the web server's private IP, while stateful firewall rules permit only specific ports (e.g., TCP 80/443) from the internet to the DMZ and deny all unsolicited traffic from the DMZ to the internal LAN.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DMZ — A DMZ (demilitarized zone) is a separate, isolated network segment that exposes internal services, such as a web server, to external users while keeping the internal LAN secure. By placing the web server in the DMZ, the firewall can allow inbound traffic from the internet to the DMZ while blocking direct access to the internal network, enforcing strict access control policies.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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