AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty Practice Exam

Which option minimizes network jitter and latency when connecting an on-premises network to AWS APIs?

1. Public VIF

2. AWS Virtual Private Network

3. AWS Direct Connect public VIF

4. AWS Site-to-Site VPN

The correct answer is: AWS Direct Connect public VIF

Choosing AWS Direct Connect public VIF as the method for connecting an on-premises network to AWS APIs is optimal for minimizing network jitter and latency. AWS Direct Connect establishes a dedicated network connection from your premises directly to AWS. This provides a more stable and consistent connection compared to internet-based options, which can experience fluctuations in performance due to variable internet traffic. With Direct Connect, traffic does not traverse the public internet, which significantly reduces the chances of jitter - the variability in packet arrival time that can affect the quality of real-time applications. The dedicated line also contributes to consistently lower latency compared to other methods like VPNs, where traffic may be subject to additional processing and routing delays caused by the complexities of internet transit. In contrast, options like public VIF and AWS Site-to-Site VPN typically rely on the public internet for connectivity, which means they inherit the web's inherent latency and jitter characteristics from shared bandwidth and variable routing paths. While these solutions provide secure connections, they do not offer the same level of performance consistency that Direct Connect provides. Thus, for critical applications requiring minimal jitter and latency, AWS Direct Connect public VIF is the superior choice.