Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A company is redesigning its network to host a public-facing web application that accesses a confidential database. The security team needs to minimize the risk of a direct attack against the database server while still allowing the web server to retrieve and update data. Which network architecture best achieves this objective?
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 the database server in the same DMZ segment and rely on host-based firewalls for protection.
Placing the database server in the same DMZ as the web server exposes it to any attacker who compromises the web server, and host-based firewalls can be misconfigured or bypassed. The database should be in a more secure internal zone.
B
Best answer
Place the web server in the DMZ and the database server on the internal network. Configure the firewall to allow inbound traffic from the web server to the database server on the required port only.
This architecture follows the principle of defense in depth. The DMZ provides an additional security layer for the web server, while the database is isolated on the internal network with a restrictive firewall rule that limits access to only the web server, reducing the attack surface.
C
Distractor review
Connect both servers to a single internal VLAN and use a reverse proxy to forward external traffic to the web server.
Putting both servers on the same internal VLAN removes network segmentation. If the web server is compromised, the attacker gains direct access to the database. A reverse proxy helps protect the web server but does not isolate the database.
D
Distractor review
Use a site-to-site VPN to connect the web server and database server, and place both behind a single NAT gateway.
A site-to-site VPN is typically used to connect separate networks securely, not to segment internal resources. Placing both behind NAT still exposes the database if the web server is breached, because there is no firewall rule limiting database access to only the web server.
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
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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
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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 the DMZ and the database server on the internal network. Configure the firewall to allow inbound traffic from the web server to the database server on the required port only. — The preferred architecture for a public-facing web application with a backend database is to place the web server in a DMZ (or screened subnet) and the database server on the internal network with a firewall rule that permits only the web server's IP address to communicate with the database over the required port (e.g., 3306 for MySQL). This ensures that external users can only access the web server, and the database is not directly reachable from the internet. All other options introduce unnecessary exposure or complexity.
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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