AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty Practice Exam

For a real-time exchange on AWS with participants not using AWS, what is the best networking and security tradeoff?

1. Use VPN to connect to participants directly

2. Utilize AWS Direct Connect for lower latency and traffic encryption

3. Implement a public internet connection for easier reach

4. Use AWS Transit Gateway for simplified networking

The correct answer is: Utilize AWS Direct Connect for lower latency and traffic encryption

Utilizing AWS Direct Connect for real-time exchanges with non-AWS participants offers a strategic advantage in terms of performance and security. Direct Connect provides a dedicated physical connection to AWS, which can significantly lower latencies compared to standard internet connections. This dedicated link is advantageous for applications requiring consistent and rapid data transfer, such as real-time communications. Moreover, Direct Connect supports the use of Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) endpoints and can work in conjunction with VPNs to enable encryption, providing a secure communication channel. The more stable and predictable performance of Direct Connect - given that it bypasses public internet paths - translates to a more reliable experience for users engaged in real-time data exchanges. This option effectively balances the need for security and performance, making it particularly suitable for scenarios where data integrity and speed are paramount. While a VPN connection can be secure, it may introduce higher latencies due to the overhead involved in encryption and the dependency on internet performance. A public internet connection, while widely accessible, can result in lower reliability and higher latency, potentially jeopardizing the quality of real-time exchanges. Although AWS Transit Gateway simplifies network management and connectivity between VPCs and on-premises networks, it doesn’t directly address the requirements of low latency and secure dedicated connections for