Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An online retailer is moving its public web app, internal API, and database into separate zones. Public users must reach only the web tier. The web tier must contact the app tier, and only the app tier may query the database. Admins should manage all servers from a hardened jump host. Which design best meets these goals and minimizes lateral movement?
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 servers in one VLAN and rely on host-based firewalls to block unwanted traffic.
This reduces some risk, but flat networks still make lateral movement easier if one host is compromised.
B
Best answer
Create separate DMZ, application, and database zones with default-deny east-west rules and use a jump host for administration.
This design limits exposure at each layer, prevents direct user-to-database access, and gives administrators a controlled management path.
C
Distractor review
Put the database in the DMZ so the web tier can connect to it without extra firewall rules.
Placing the database in a more exposed zone increases risk and conflicts with least-exposure principles.
D
Distractor review
Expose the application tier to the Internet and use NAT to hide the database subnet.
NAT does not provide meaningful segmentation, and exposing the application tier broadens the attack surface unnecessarily.
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: Create separate DMZ, application, and database zones with default-deny east-west rules and use a jump host for administration. — The best choice is separate zones with default-deny east-west controls and a jump host. That architecture enforces the intended traffic flow: users can reach only the web tier, the web tier can reach the app tier, and the app tier can reach the database. It also keeps administrative access off production networks except through a hardened, monitored entry point, which improves containment and auditability if one system is compromised. Why others are wrong: A flat VLAN with host firewalls can work in limited cases, but it is harder to manage consistently and makes lateral movement easier after compromise. Putting the database in the DMZ increases exposure and violates basic zoning principles. Exposing the application tier to the Internet and relying on NAT confuses address hiding with security; NAT does not replace proper segmentation or filtering.
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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