1. Exam Overview
The AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (ANS-C01) certification validates the ability to design, implement, and manage complex and hybrid network architectures on AWS.
It’s intended for experienced networking professionals with strong knowledge of AWS and on-premises connectivity.
📘 Official Exam Guide (PDF): AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty Exam Guide
🧩 Practice Questions: Cloud Pass ANS-C01 Practice Page
Exam Details
- Format: 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions
- Duration: 170 minutes
- Recommended Experience: 5+ years in networking, 2+ years using AWS networking services
- Key Areas: Network Design, Hybrid Connectivity, Network Security, Monitoring, and Governance
2. Key Domains
| Domain | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1 | Network Design | ~30% |
| Domain 2 | Network Implementation | ~26% |
| Domain 3 | Network Management & Operations | ~20% |
| Domain 4 | Network Security, Compliance & Governance | ~24% |
This exam focuses on designing scalable, secure, and cost-optimized architectures, rather than rote memorization.
Expect scenario-based questions involving multi-VPC, multi-account, and hybrid environments.
3. Study Strategy
(1) Understand the End-to-End Network Flow
Learn how AWS networking layers connect from edge to core:
- Edge services (CDN, global routing) → DNS design → VPC, Transit Gateway, PrivateLink, and hybrid connectivity (VPN, Direct Connect).
(2) Focus on Core AWS Networking Services
You should master:
- Global Networking: Route 53, CloudFront, Global Accelerator
- Hybrid Connectivity: VPN, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway
- Inter-VPC Communication: Peering, PrivateLink, Cross-Region setup
- Security: AWS Network Firewall, SG/NACL, encryption, inspection patterns
- Automation: CloudFormation, CDK, CLI automation for network provisioning
(3) Practice Real-World Scenarios
For each question, ask yourself:
- “Which AWS service provides the most efficient routing for this case?”
- “How would latency and cost be optimized in a multi-region setup?”
👉 Cloud Pass ANS-C01 Practice Page
(4) Use AWS Whitepapers
- Building a Scalable and Secure Multi-VPC AWS Network Infrastructure
- Hybrid Connectivity Options for AWS
- Security at the Edge: AWS Edge Services Overview
4. Core AWS Services Summary
| Area | Services | Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Edge & Global | CloudFront, Global Accelerator, Route 53 | Global routing, CDN design, latency optimization |
| Hybrid Connectivity | VPN, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway | Redundancy, routing policies, hybrid architecture |
| Multi-VPC Architecture | Peering, PrivateLink, Transit Gateway | Cross-account communication, segmentation |
| Security & Governance | Network Firewall, SG/NACL, TLS | Traffic control, encryption, compliance |
| Automation & IaC | CloudFormation, CDK, CLI | Consistent deployment, network templates |
5. Common Exam Scenarios
- Designing hybrid architectures with redundant Direct Connect and VPN links
- Implementing secure cross-region VPC communication using Transit Gateway
- Building global latency-optimized routing with Route 53 + Global Accelerator
- Configuring AWS Network Firewall for centralized traffic inspection
- Automating network provisioning through IaC templates
6. Recommended Study Roadmap
| Week | Goal | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Understand exam structure | Review guide, analyze domain weights |
| Week 2 | Focus on global networking & DNS | Route 53, CloudFront, Global Accelerator |
| Week 3 | Study hybrid connectivity | VPN, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway |
| Week 4 | Learn network security & automation | Network Firewall, SG/NACL, IaC |
| Week 5 | Practice mock exams | Review Cloud Pass questions, analyze weak areas |
7. Final Tips
- Master “why” certain architectures are chosen — not just “what” they are.
- Balance between performance, cost, and security trade-offs.
- Focus on scenario-based reasoning — real AWS architecture problems.
- Rest well and manage your exam time carefully.
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