Question 1easymulti select
Full question →easymulti selectObjective-mapped
A small company is deploying a public web application with a front-end server, an application server, and a database. Which two design choices best reduce exposure of the backend systems? Select two.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Place the web server in a DMZ that is reachable from the internet.
The web server is the system that must face external traffic, so placing it in a DMZ keeps it separate from internal resources. This limits the damage if the public server is compromised.
B
Distractor review
Put the database on the same subnet as the web server for faster communication.
Putting the database beside the public server increases exposure and makes lateral movement easier. Speed is not worth weakening isolation in this design.
C
Best answer
Place the database on an internal subnet that is not directly reachable from the internet.
Keeping the database on a protected internal subnet reduces direct attack surface. Only approved internal servers should be able to reach it through tightly controlled rules.
D
Distractor review
Allow every tier to communicate freely to simplify troubleshooting.
Open communication between tiers removes the barriers that segmentation is meant to provide. Troubleshooting convenience should not override basic isolation.
E
Distractor review
Use one flat VLAN for all three servers and rely on strong passwords.
A flat VLAN offers little containment if one system is compromised. Strong passwords help access control, but they do not replace network segmentation.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place the web server in a DMZ that is reachable from the internet. — Placing the web server in a DMZ keeps the internet-facing component separated from internal systems, and placing the database on an internal subnet reduces direct exposure of sensitive data. This layout follows a common secure design pattern: expose only the minimum necessary service externally, then protect backend systems with segmentation and filtering. If the web server is attacked, the database is still shielded by the internal network boundary. Why others are wrong: Putting backend systems on the same subnet or using a flat VLAN increases the chance of lateral movement after compromise. Allowing all tiers to communicate freely also weakens security boundaries. Strong passwords are useful, but they do not provide the network isolation needed to protect the database in this scenario.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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