Review a compact AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty (ANS-C01) cheat sheet for VPC design, hybrid connectivity, routing, DNS, automation, network operations, and security before using IT Mastery sample questions.
Use this cheat sheet to organize ANS-C01 network decisions before trying the sample questions. The current ANS-C01 page includes original sample questions and exam guidance while full IT Mastery practice is being prioritized.
| Item | Review cue |
|---|---|
| Exam route | AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty |
| Exam code | ANS-C01 |
| Items | 65 total, including scored and unscored items |
| Current page status | Sample questions available |
| Best use | Practice AWS and hybrid network design, operations, automation, routing, DNS, and security decisions |
| Domain | Weight | What to know | Common trap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Design | 30% | VPC layout, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect, VPN, DNS, multi-account design | building full-mesh peering when hub-and-spoke routing fits |
| Network Implementation | 26% | route tables, endpoints, load balancing, hybrid configuration, service access | missing route propagation or endpoint policy boundaries |
| Network Management and Operation | 20% | monitoring, flow logs, automation, troubleshooting, change control | fixing symptoms before proving the failed network layer |
| Network Security, Compliance, and Governance | 24% | segmentation, inspection, encryption, policy, least privilege, audit evidence | allowing public paths where private connectivity is required |
| Distinction | Exam reflex |
|---|---|
| VPC peering vs Transit Gateway | Peering can fit simple pairs. Transit Gateway fits many VPCs, accounts, and routing domains. |
| Direct Connect vs VPN | Direct Connect provides private dedicated connectivity. VPN can be encrypted backup or lower-cost connectivity. |
| Gateway endpoint vs interface endpoint | Gateway endpoints serve S3 and DynamoDB. Interface endpoints use PrivateLink for supported services. |
| Security group vs network ACL | Security groups are stateful. Network ACLs are stateless subnet controls. |
| Route 53 failover vs weighted routing | Failover is active-passive. Weighted routing distributes traffic by weights. |
For each missed ANS-C01 sample, identify the failed layer: routing, connectivity, DNS, service access, security, or operations. Then review the related live AWS architecture or operations pages while ANS-C01 coverage is still expanding.