Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
An online retailer is redesigning a network for a public web app. Customers must reach only the web tier from the internet. The web tier must reach the application tier, and the application tier must reach the database tier. Which two design changes best support this zoning model? 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
Distractor review
Place all three server tiers on the same flat VLAN and rely on host firewalls.
This reduces administrative effort, but it does not create strong network separation between tiers.
B
Best answer
Put the internet-facing web tier in a DMZ with tightly filtered inbound rules.
A DMZ exposes only the web tier to the internet while keeping internal systems off the public network.
C
Distractor review
Give the database server a public IP address so the web tier can connect faster.
This directly exposes the database to the internet and defeats the purpose of tier isolation.
D
Best answer
Place the application and database tiers in separate internal zones with firewall allow-lists between them.
Separate internal zones limit east-west movement and let administrators permit only required application flows.
E
Distractor review
Use a single NAT device for all servers and disable interserver filtering.
NAT hides addresses but does not provide the segmentation needed to protect application tiers.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Put the internet-facing web tier in a DMZ with tightly filtered inbound rules. — B and D are the best choices because they create layered network zones with explicit filtering between each tier. The DMZ isolates the internet-facing web servers, while separate internal zones prevent the application and database servers from becoming broadly reachable. Together, these controls reduce attack surface, limit lateral movement, and make it easier to enforce least-privilege traffic paths between tiers. Why others are wrong: A and E are too weak because they keep systems effectively flat or rely on address translation instead of true segmentation. C is the most dangerous option because it exposes the database directly to the internet, which is almost never appropriate for a production web application.
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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