Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A small company is redesigning its network for a public web application. The web front end must be reachable from the internet, but the database should never be exposed directly to external or general user traffic. Which architecture is the best choice?
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 both the web server and database in the same internal subnet and rely on host firewalls.
This keeps the database reachable from the web server, but it also increases the blast radius if either host is compromised.
B
Best answer
Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed.
This separates the internet-facing system from the sensitive backend. The DMZ limits exposure of the web server, while the database remains inaccessible from external networks and is reachable only over tightly filtered application ports from the web tier.
C
Distractor review
Place the database in the DMZ so the web server can query it directly without internal routing.
A database in the DMZ would be unnecessarily exposed to attackers and would violate common secure architecture practices.
D
Distractor review
Keep both systems public but restrict access with NAT and strong administrator passwords.
NAT does not provide meaningful segmentation for application security, and passwords alone do not prevent network-level exposure.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed. — A DMZ is the standard design for services that must be reachable from the internet while keeping sensitive back-end systems isolated. In this case, the web server belongs in the DMZ because it is the exposed layer. The database should remain on a private subnet with only the specific application ports allowed from the web server. That reduces attack surface, supports filtering, and limits lateral movement if the web server is compromised. Why others are wrong: Option A leaves the database too close to the exposed system. Option C exposes the database directly, which is a major security weakness. Option D relies on NAT and passwords, but those do not replace proper segmentation and firewall policy between tiers.
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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