Prasenjit Sarkar
By Prasenjit SarkarLast verified: 2026-09-07
Amazon Web Services (AWS)NetworkingSPECIALTY

AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty: Complete Guide 2026

ANS-C01

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty overview is built for IT professionals who design, implement, and secure complex cloud networking environments. The ANS-C01 exam validates advanced AWS networking skills across Network Design (30%), Network Implementation (26%), Network Management and Operations (20%), and Network Security, Compliance, and Governance (24%). With 65 questions in 170 minutes and a passing score of 750/1000, this AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty credential matters for Network Architects, Senior Network Engineers, and Cloud Network Engineers aiming to prove high-level expertise.

Free ANS-C01 Exam DumpsExam Objectives

Exam Details

Exam CodeANS-C01
Duration170 min
Questions65
Passing Score750/1000
Exam Cost$300
Validity3 years
Avg. Salary$155,000/yr
Official Exam Page

Resources

Everything you need to pass

Comprehensive preparation materials for your AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam

ANS-C01 Exam Dumps

512 free practice questions with answers and explanations

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Timed Practice Exam

65 questions in 170 minutes, scored and reviewed

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Exam Objectives

Official exam domains & topic breakdown

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Study Plan

Week-by-week plan, study tips and exam-day checklist

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Free Exam Dumps

ANS-C01 practice questions

512 free questions with verified answers and an explanation for every option. A sample from each bank is below; every question has its own page.

ANS-C01 exam dumps (512 questions)

All ANS-C01 questions

ANS-C01 Question 1

Single answer

Your company operates a multi-region architecture with critical web applications hosted in both the us-east-1 and us-west-2 AWS regions. You need to design a network solution that maintains low-latency communication between the regions, ensures high availability, and provides redundancy. Which solution should you choose?

  1. A

    Set up an AWS Direct Connect connection between the two regions.

  2. B

    Use an AWS Transit Gateway to establish peering between the VPCs in us-east-1 and us-west-2.

  3. C

    Create a VPC peering connection between the VPCs in us-east-1 and us-west-2.

  4. D

    Use an AWS Global Accelerator to route traffic between the regions.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

To enable low-latency, highly available, and redundant communication between VPCs in different AWS regions, AWS Transit Gateway is the best choice. It supports inter-region peering, provides a scalable solution for connecting multiple VPCs, and offers centralized management. Other options, such as Direct Connect, VPC peering, or Global Accelerator, are not suitable for this specific use case.

  • A. Incorrect.

    This option is incorrect because AWS Direct Connect is designed to provide dedicated private connectivity between on-premises data centers and AWS, not between AWS regions.

  • B. Correct.

    This is the correct answer. AWS Transit Gateway allows you to establish peering between VPCs across regions, providing high availability and low-latency communication. It also supports routing redundancy for improved fault tolerance.

  • C. Incorrect.

    While VPC peering can connect two VPCs in different regions, it is limited in terms of scalability and does not natively provide the high availability and centralized management offered by AWS Transit Gateway.

  • D. Incorrect.

    AWS Global Accelerator is designed to improve the performance and availability of global applications by routing traffic through AWS's global edge network. However, it is not intended for inter-region VPC communication.

ANS-C01 Question 2

Select 2

Your company is deploying a highly available web application across two AWS Regions to serve a global user base. You want to ensure that users are routed to the closest region based on latency while also providing failover capability in case one region becomes unavailable. Which combination of configuration steps would best achieve this goal?

  1. A

    Use Amazon Route 53 with a latency-based routing policy to direct traffic to the closest region.

  2. B

    Configure Route 53 health checks to monitor the health of your application endpoints in each region.

  3. C

    Use an Application Load Balancer (ALB) in each region and configure cross-region load balancing.

  4. D

    Set up AWS Global Accelerator to route traffic between regions based on health and latency.

  5. E

    Deploy a CloudFront distribution and configure origin failover to switch between the regions.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answers: A, B

Explanation

To achieve latency-based routing and failover between AWS Regions, Amazon Route 53 with a latency-based routing policy and health checks is the most appropriate solution. Latency-based routing ensures that users are directed to the closest region, while health checks enable automatic failover in the event of a region becoming unavailable. The other options either do not fully meet the requirements or are intended for different use cases.

  • A. Correct.

    Using Amazon Route 53 with a latency-based routing policy ensures that users are directed to the AWS Region with the lowest latency, which is essential for optimizing the user experience in a global deployment.

  • B. Correct.

    Route 53 health checks are necessary to monitor the availability of endpoints in each region. This ensures that traffic is rerouted to the healthy region in case one region becomes unavailable.

  • C. Incorrect.

    While an Application Load Balancer can balance traffic within a region or between different availability zones, it does not support cross-region latency-based routing or failover directly.

  • D. Incorrect.

    AWS Global Accelerator provides global traffic routing and failover capabilities, but it is not required in this scenario because Route 53 latency-based routing and health checks are sufficient to meet the requirements.

  • E. Incorrect.

    CloudFront origin failover is designed for CDN-origin redundancy, not for routing traffic between AWS Regions based on latency or health.

ANS-C01 Question 3

Select 2

You are designing a hybrid network architecture for an enterprise that has an on-premises data center and multiple applications hosted in AWS. The on-premises data center connects to AWS using an AWS Direct Connect connection. The enterprise requires highly available connectivity with automatic failover in case the Direct Connect connection goes down. Additionally, the solution must minimize costs and provide consistent performance. Which combination of design choices meets these requirements?

  1. A

    Use AWS Direct Connect for primary connectivity and configure a backup VPN connection over the internet.

  2. B

    Set up two AWS Direct Connect connections in separate locations and enable BGP for route failover.

  3. C

    Deploy an AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection as the primary connection and use AWS Direct Connect as a backup.

  4. D

    Configure two AWS Direct Connect connections in Active/Active mode with Direct Connect Gateway.

  5. E

    Enable AWS Global Accelerator to handle failover between the Direct Connect and VPN connections.

Show answer and explanation

Correct answers: A, B

Explanation

The best solution is to use AWS Direct Connect as the primary connection for high performance and consistent bandwidth, and configure a backup VPN connection over the internet for failover. Additionally, setting up two Direct Connect connections in separate locations with BGP routing ensures high availability and redundancy. These design choices align with the requirements of minimizing costs while ensuring automatic failover and consistent performance.

  • A. Correct.

    This option is correct as using AWS Direct Connect as the primary connection and a backup VPN over the internet provides high availability and cost efficiency. The VPN acts as a failover mechanism if Direct Connect becomes unavailable.

  • B. Correct.

    This option is correct because setting up two Direct Connect connections in separate locations ensures high availability and fault tolerance. BGP can be used to automatically route traffic via the alternate connection in case of a failure.

  • C. Incorrect.

    This option is incorrect because Site-to-Site VPN as the primary connection does not meet the requirement for consistent performance. Direct Connect provides dedicated bandwidth and lower latency compared to VPN.

  • D. Incorrect.

    This option is incorrect because using two Direct Connect connections in Active/Active mode increases costs unnecessarily and does not align with the requirement to minimize costs.

  • E. Incorrect.

    This option is incorrect because AWS Global Accelerator is not used for failover between Direct Connect and VPN connections. It is primarily designed for improving global application performance and availability.

Exam Content

Exam Domains & Topics

Master these 4 domains to pass your exam

1

Network Design

30%
2

Network Implementation

26%
3

Network Management and Operations

20%
4

Network Security, Compliance, and Governance

24%

Who Should Take This Exam?

  • IT professionals seeking Amazon Web Services (AWS) expertise
  • Networking practitioners
  • Cloud architects and engineers
  • DevOps and infrastructure specialists
  • Technical leads and solution architects
  • Career changers entering cloud computing

Study Timeline

8-12 weeks

Recommended duration

01

Foundation · Weeks 1-2

Review exam objectives & core concepts

02

Deep Dive · Weeks 3-6

Study each domain with hands-on labs

03

Practice & Review · Weeks 7-8

Take practice exams & target weak areas

View Full Study Plan

Study Guide

ANS-C01 Study Plan

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification validates advanced technical skills and experience in designing and implementing AWS and hybrid IT network architectures at scale. This specialty certification is designed for individuals who perform complex networking tasks and is one of AWS's most challenging certifications, requiring deep knowledge of network design, implementation, security, and operations on AWS.

  1. Week 1-2

    Foundation and VPC Architecture

    Build strong foundation in AWS VPC and core networking concepts

    • Complete AWS VPC documentation review
    • Understand subnetting, CIDR, and IP addressing in AWS
    • Master VPC components (subnets, route tables, internet gateways, NAT)
    • Practice creating multi-tier VPC architectures
    • Understand VPC peering and its limitations

  2. Week 3-4

    Hybrid Connectivity and Transit Gateway

    Master hybrid cloud connectivity options and Transit Gateway

    • Understand Direct Connect architecture and configuration
    • Learn VPN types (Site-to-Site, Client VPN) and use cases
    • Master Transit Gateway concepts and attachment types
    • Understand BGP and routing protocols in AWS
    • Practice designing hub-and-spoke architectures

  3. Week 5-6

    Advanced Networking Services

    Deep dive into Route 53, load balancing, and content delivery

    • Master Route 53 routing policies and health checks
    • Understand ALB, NLB, and GWLB differences and use cases
    • Learn CloudFront configurations and optimization
    • Understand Global Accelerator architecture
    • Practice PrivateLink and VPC endpoints implementation

  4. Week 7

    Network Security

    Comprehensive security controls and compliance

    • Master security groups and NACLs configuration
    • Understand AWS Network Firewall policies
    • Learn WAF rules and protection strategies
    • Understand AWS Shield and DDoS protection
    • Practice encryption for network traffic

  5. Week 8

    Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Optimization

    Network operations and performance optimization

    • Master VPC Flow Logs analysis
    • Learn Traffic Mirroring for packet capture
    • Understand Reachability Analyzer
    • Practice cost optimization techniques
    • Learn network automation with CloudFormation

  6. Week 9-10

    Advanced Topics and Scenarios

    Complex architectures and real-world scenarios

    • Multi-account, multi-region networking strategies
    • Container and serverless networking
    • Third-party appliance integration
    • IPv6 implementation in AWS
    • Network migration strategies

  7. Week 11

    Practice Exams and Review

    Take practice exams and review weak areas

    • Complete official AWS practice exam
    • Take multiple third-party practice tests
    • Review all incorrect answers thoroughly
    • Create summary notes for each domain
    • Identify and strengthen weak areas

  8. Week 12

    Final Review and Exam Preparation

    Final preparation and exam readiness

    • Review all key concepts and services
    • Take final practice exam under timed conditions
    • Review AWS service limits and quotas
    • Practice scenario-based questions
    • Mental preparation and exam logistics

Study tips

Hands-On Practice

  • Set up a dedicated AWS account for labs using free tier where possible
  • Build at least 5-10 complex network architectures from scratch
  • Practice configuring Transit Gateway with multiple VPC attachments and route tables
  • Implement Direct Connect using DX Gateway and understand virtual interfaces
  • Configure all types of VPC endpoints (Gateway and Interface)
  • Set up Traffic Mirroring and analyze packet captures
  • Create CloudFormation templates for repeatable network deployments
  • Practice troubleshooting scenarios: connectivity issues, routing problems, DNS resolution

Service Deep Dives

  • Master Transit Gateway: understand all attachment types, route table associations, and propagations
  • Know the differences between VPC peering, Transit Gateway, and PrivateLink - when to use each
  • Understand Direct Connect thoroughly: LAG, virtual interfaces (private/public/transit), MACsec encryption
  • Learn all Route 53 routing policies and their use cases (weighted, latency, failover, geolocation, geoproximity)
  • Compare ALB vs NLB vs GWLB: protocols, features, target types, and pricing
  • Understand CloudFront behaviors, cache policies, origin groups, and Lambda@Edge
  • Master VPC Flow Logs: fields, analysis techniques, and integration with CloudWatch/Athena

Architecture Patterns

  • Practice designing multi-account network architectures using AWS Organizations
  • Understand hub-and-spoke topology with Transit Gateway as the hub
  • Learn hybrid DNS resolution patterns between on-premises and AWS
  • Master multi-region architectures with Global Accelerator or Route 53
  • Understand network segmentation for security: inspection VPC, egress VPC patterns
  • Learn container networking: ECS, EKS networking modes and service mesh integration
  • Practice designing for high availability: multiple AZs, regions, and failover strategies

Security and Compliance

  • Understand the difference between security groups (stateful) and NACLs (stateless) thoroughly
  • Master AWS Network Firewall: stateful and stateless rule groups, policy hierarchy
  • Know WAF rule types: rate limiting, geo-blocking, SQL injection, XSS protection
  • Understand encryption options: VPN tunnels, Direct Connect MACsec, TLS termination
  • Learn AWS Shield Standard vs Advanced features and DDoS mitigation strategies
  • Practice PrivateLink for secure service exposure without internet exposure
  • Understand AWS Config rules for network compliance monitoring

Troubleshooting Skills

  • Use Reachability Analyzer to validate network paths before troubleshooting
  • Master VPC Flow Logs analysis: ACCEPT/REJECT patterns, security group vs NACL rejections
  • Understand route table evaluation order and most-specific route matching
  • Practice diagnosing DNS issues: resolver endpoints, conditional forwarding
  • Learn to troubleshoot Direct Connect: BGP status, virtual interface state, MAC Security
  • Understand CloudWatch metrics for networking: bytes transferred, packet drops, connection counts
  • Practice identifying asymmetric routing issues in complex architectures

Exam Strategy

  • Read questions carefully - look for keywords like 'MOST cost-effective', 'LEAST operational overhead', 'MOST secure'
  • Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then evaluate remaining options
  • Watch for scenarios requiring specific throughput: Direct Connect bandwidth, Transit Gateway limits
  • Time management: you have ~2.6 minutes per question, flag difficult ones and return later
  • Draw network diagrams on your whiteboard for complex scenario questions
  • Understand service limits/quotas: VPC peering connections, Transit Gateway attachments
  • Review AWS Well-Architected Framework principles for networking
  • Practice with scenario-based questions - most exam questions present real-world situations

Cost Optimization Knowledge

  • Understand data transfer costs: inter-AZ, inter-region, internet egress pricing
  • Know Direct Connect pricing: port hours, data transfer out, vs VPN costs
  • Learn Transit Gateway pricing: attachments, data processing charges
  • Understand NAT Gateway vs NAT instance cost trade-offs
  • Know when to use VPC endpoints to avoid NAT Gateway costs
  • Learn CloudFront pricing tiers and cache optimization for cost reduction
  • Understand Route 53 query pricing and hosted zone costs

Exam day checklist

  • Arrive 15 minutes early for in-person exams or start online exam setup 30 minutes before
  • Bring two forms of ID for in-person testing (check AWS certification policies)
  • Use the whiteboard/notepad to draw network diagrams for complex questions
  • Read each question twice before selecting an answer - watch for negative questions (NOT, EXCEPT)
  • Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing easier ones
  • For scenario questions, identify the key requirements: security, cost, performance, or operational overhead
  • Eliminate answers that don't address all requirements in the question
  • Watch your time - pace yourself to spend ~2.5 minutes per question
  • Use the 'Mark for Review' feature for questions you want to revisit
  • Don't leave any questions unanswered - make educated guesses if needed
  • Review all flagged questions if time permits before submitting
  • Stay calm and confident - you've prepared thoroughly for this specialty exam
  • Remember that AWS prefers managed services and automation in their solutions
  • Consider security first, then cost optimization when multiple correct answers exist

Career

Career Opportunities

Roles and salary potential for AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certified professionals

Related Job Titles

Network ArchitectSenior Network EngineerCloud Network Engineer

$155,000

Average Annual Salary

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Prerequisites

There are no strict formal prerequisites for the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification. However, Amazon Web Services (AWS) recommends having foundational knowledge of networking concepts and some hands-on experience before attempting the exam. Candidates who invest time in study materials and practice exams typically perform best.

FAQ

AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty FAQs

Common questions about the ANS-C01 certification exam

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty is a professional certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that validates your expertise in the relevant technology domain. The exam code is ANS-C01. This certification demonstrates your ability to design, implement, and manage solutions using Amazon Web Services (AWS) technologies.

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam typically contains 65 questions. These questions are a mix of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical application.

The passing score for the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam is 750/1000. Note that Amazon Web Services (AWS) uses a scaled scoring system, so focus on understanding all exam domains thoroughly rather than just achieving the minimum score.

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam duration is 170 minutes (3 hours). This includes time for reviewing your answers. We recommend practicing with timed mock exams to manage your time effectively.

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam costs $300. Prices may vary by region and are subject to change. Amazon Web Services (AWS) occasionally offers discounts or voucher programs for certification exams.

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain your certification, you'll need to recertify before it expires, either by passing the current exam version or through Amazon Web Services (AWS)'s continuing education program.

While Amazon Web Services (AWS) doesn't always require formal prerequisites, we recommend having hands-on experience with the relevant technologies. Familiarity with core concepts and practical experience will significantly improve your chances of passing the exam.

Yes, the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam is proctored and can be taken either at a testing center or online through remote proctoring. Online proctoring allows you to take the exam from home while being monitored via webcam. Ensure you have a quiet, private space with a stable internet connection if choosing the online option.

If you don't pass the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam on your first attempt, you can retake it. Amazon Web Services (AWS) typically has a waiting period between attempts (usually 14 days for the first retake). Use this time to review the areas where you struggled and take additional practice exams.

To prepare for the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam, we recommend: 1) Review the official exam guide and objectives, 2) Gain hands-on experience with the technologies, 3) Use practice exams to identify knowledge gaps, 4) Study each exam domain thoroughly, and 5) Join study groups or forums to discuss challenging topics with other candidates.

Sources

About the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Certification

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty (ANS-C01) is a specialty-level certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This certification validates your expertise in networking and is recognized globally by employers seeking qualified professionals. The exam consists of 65 questions to be completed in 170 minutes, with a passing score of 750/1000. The exam fee is $300, and the certification is valid for 3 years.

Why Get AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Certified?

  • Career Advancement: Certified professionals earn an average of $155,000 per year. Amazon Web Services (AWS)-certified professionals are among the most sought-after in the networking industry.
  • Industry Recognition: Amazon Web Services (AWS) certifications are respected worldwide by employers, demonstrating verified competency in networking technologies and practices.
  • Skill Validation: The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam rigorously tests your knowledge across 4 domains, ensuring you have the practical skills employers demand.

AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Exam Format & Details

The ANS-C01 exam is designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Candidates are given 170 minutes to complete the exam, which contains approximately 65 questions. A score of 750/1000 is required to pass.

Exam Domains & Topics

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam covers 4 key domains. Understanding the weight of each domain helps you allocate your study time effectively:

  • Network Design (30% of exam)
  • Network Implementation (26% of exam)
  • Network Management and Operations (20% of exam)
  • Network Security, Compliance, and Governance (24% of exam)

Who Should Take the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Exam?

This certification is designed for professionals in the following roles:

  • IT professionals seeking Amazon Web Services (AWS) expertise
  • Networking practitioners looking to validate their skills
  • Professionals preparing for a career in networking
  • Technical specialists aiming to advance their career with an industry-recognized credential
  • Team leads and managers who need to understand networking concepts

Career Opportunities & Salary

Earning the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification opens doors to roles such as Network Architect, Senior Network Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer. Certified professionals earn an average salary of $155,000 per year, reflecting the high demand for networking skills in today's job market.

Recertification & Renewal

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain your credential, you will need to meet Amazon Web Services (AWS)'s renewal requirements before your certification expires. This may include earning continuing education credits, passing a recertification exam, or earning a higher-level certification.

Exam Registration & Cost

The ANS-C01 exam costs $300. You can register through Amazon Web Services (AWS)'s official website or an authorized testing center. Most candidates choose between in-person testing at a Pearson VUE or PSI center and online proctored exams taken from home. Be sure to review the exam policies, including identification requirements and prohibited items, before your test date.

How to Prepare for ANS-C01

Most candidates need 4-8 weeks of dedicated study to prepare for the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam. Start by reviewing the official exam objectives, then work through each domain systematically. Regular practice with exam-style questions is essential for building confidence and identifying weak areas. Combine reading with hands-on practice to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

HydraNode publishes 512 free ANS-C01 practice questions with answers and explanations, plus a timed practice exam drawn from the same bank. Every question is written to the published objectives, so what you practise matches the format and difficulty of the actual ANS-C01 exam.