- A
Configure a site-to-site VPN over the internet
Why wrong: A site-to-site VPN encrypts traffic but still traverses the public internet, violating the requirement to avoid the public internet.
- B
Use a dedicated private connection such as a direct cloud provider connection
A dedicated private connection provides a direct, private link between on-premises and the cloud, bypassing the public internet and ensuring encryption.
- C
Set up a remote desktop gateway
Why wrong: A remote desktop gateway is for accessing desktops, not for secure database connectivity between environments.
- D
Deploy a cloud-based load balancer
Why wrong: A load balancer distributes traffic but does not provide a private encrypted link between on-premises and the cloud.
Question 642 of 750
Hybrid Cloud Secure Private Connection
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is configuring a hybrid cloud environment where an on-premises application needs to securely access a database hosted in a public cloud. The company requires that all traffic between the two environments be encrypted and not traverse the public internet. Which of the following should the technician implement?
Quick Answer
The correct choice is a dedicated private connection such as AWS Direct Connect, because the requirement explicitly states that traffic must not traverse the public internet. While a VPN tunnel does provide encryption, it still routes data over the public internet, which violates the condition of a fully private path. A dedicated private connection, like AWS Direct Connect or Azure ExpressRoute, establishes a direct, physical link between your on-premises network and the cloud provider’s infrastructure, ensuring all traffic stays off the public internet while remaining encrypted. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of hybrid cloud connectivity options, often appearing as a trap where students mistakenly choose a VPN. The key distinction is that VPNs encrypt over the internet, but private connections bypass it entirely. Remember: if the scenario says “no public internet,” think “direct private link”—a handy mnemonic is “Direct = No Internet.”
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a dedicated private connection such as a direct cloud provider connection
A dedicated private connection (e.g., cloud provider's direct connect service) provides a private, dedicated network link from on-premises to the cloud, bypassing the public internet entirely. This ensures all traffic is encrypted (when combined with IPsec or TLS at the application layer) and does not traverse the public internet, meeting the security and routing requirements.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure a site-to-site VPN over the internet
Why it's wrong here
A site-to-site VPN encrypts traffic but still traverses the public internet, violating the requirement to avoid the public internet.
- ✓
Use a dedicated private connection such as a direct cloud provider connection
Why this is correct
A dedicated private connection provides a direct, private link between on-premises and the cloud, bypassing the public internet and ensuring encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set up a remote desktop gateway
Why it's wrong here
A remote desktop gateway is for accessing desktops, not for secure database connectivity between environments.
- ✗
Deploy a cloud-based load balancer
Why it's wrong here
A load balancer distributes traffic but does not provide a private encrypted link between on-premises and the cloud.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a site-to-site VPN (Option A) is sufficient because it provides encryption, but they overlook the explicit requirement that traffic must not traverse the public internet, which a VPN over the internet inherently does.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Dedicated private connections like AWS Direct Connect use MPLS or VLAN tagging to create a Layer 2 or Layer 3 circuit between the customer edge and the cloud provider's edge router. This eliminates the latency, jitter, and security risks of internet-based VPNs, and can be combined with encryption (e.g., IPsec over the private link) for compliance. In real-world scenarios, organizations with high data transfer volumes or strict regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS) often choose this over VPNs to avoid bandwidth contention and public exposure.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1202 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.
Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.
Windows Administrative Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.
macOS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.
Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.
Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.
Malware Types and Removal practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1202 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — This question tests Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a dedicated private connection such as a direct cloud provider connection — A dedicated private connection (e.g., cloud provider's direct connect service) provides a private, dedicated network link from on-premises to the cloud, bypassing the public internet entirely. This ensures all traffic is encrypted (when combined with IPsec or TLS at the application layer) and does not traverse the public internet, meeting the security and routing requirements.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More 220-1202 practice questions
- During a Windows 10 deployment, you need to ensure that a specific Group Policy setting is applied to a computer before…
- After installing a new printer driver, a user's Windows 11 computer crashes with a blue screen error every time they try…
- A user reports that their Windows 10 computer is infected with a virus that keeps reinstalling itself after removal. Wha…
- A customer reports that their Windows 10 laptop is displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. They suspect a ma…
- A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who handles sensitive financial data. The company po…
- A technician is responding to a security incident where an employee's credentials were used to access a server without a…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.