Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A small company is moving its public web app to a new network. The front-end server must be reachable from the internet, the application server should only accept traffic from the front end, and the database must never be reachable from the internet or user VLANs. Which design best meets these requirements with the least exposure?
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
Distractor review
Place all three servers in the same server VLAN and use host-based firewalls to separate them.
This reduces some risk, but all systems remain on the same network segment. A compromise of one host still leaves the others close by and increases lateral movement opportunities.
B
Best answer
Place the web server in a DMZ, the application server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet with firewall rules between each tier.
This is the strongest design because each tier is isolated according to exposure. The web server is the only internet-facing system, the application tier only receives approved traffic from the web tier, and the database is protected behind internal filtering. That layout limits attack paths and supports least privilege between network zones.
C
Distractor review
Place the database in the DMZ so the web and application servers can access it directly without extra firewall rules.
The database is the most sensitive tier and should not be exposed in the DMZ. This increases the blast radius if the perimeter-facing segment is compromised.
D
Distractor review
Place the web server on the user VLAN and use NAT to hide the database server from the internet.
NAT does not provide proper segmentation, and placing the web server on a user VLAN mixes public services with client devices. That weakens isolation and expands risk.
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, the application server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet with firewall rules between each tier. — The best choice is to split the tiers into separate security zones. A DMZ is appropriate for the internet-facing web server, while the application and database tiers remain behind internal filtering controls. This design limits direct exposure, reduces lateral movement, and lets administrators enforce only the minimum required ports and sources between each layer. It also supports monitoring and incident containment much better than a flat or loosely protected network. Why others are wrong: Option A leaves all tiers on the same segment, which is easier to manage but weak for containment. Option C exposes the database in the wrong zone and violates basic tier isolation principles. Option D mixes public services with end-user traffic and relies on NAT as if it were a security control, which it is not. The selected design gives the best balance of protection and operational clarity.
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.
Discussion
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