AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty Quick Facts (2025)

AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty Quick Facts

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty empowers professionals to master the design, implementation, and optimization of complex network architectures on AWS and hybrid environments. This overview gives you all the clarity and direction you need to confidently prepare, highlighting the domains and knowledge areas that shape the exam.

What makes the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty such a valuable certification?

This certification validates your expertise in building and managing scalable, highly available, and secure network solutions that support dynamic cloud workloads. It demonstrates your ability to design hybrid connectivity that integrates on-premises data centers with the AWS Cloud, implement advanced routing and VPN strategies, and optimize traffic management with edge services like Amazon CloudFront, Route 53, and Global Accelerator. Whether you are an experienced network engineer or an architect looking to deepen your AWS knowledge, it’s a strong validation of your ability to deliver resilient cloud networking solutions that align with modern business demands.

Exam Domains Covered (Click to expand breakdown)

Exam Domain Breakdown

Domain 1: Network Design (30% of the exam)

1.1 Design a solution that incorporates edge network services to optimize user performance and traffic management for global architectures.

• Design patterns for the usage of content distribution networks (for example, Amazon CloudFront)
• Design patterns for global traffic management (for example, AWS Global Accelerator)
• Integration patterns for content distribution networks and global traffic management with other services (for example, Elastic Load Balancing [ELB], Amazon API Gateway)
• Evaluating requirements of global inbound and outbound traffic from the internet to design an appropriate content distribution solution

1.1 summary: In this section, you will discover how edge services enhance both performance and availability in global deployments. Expect to see concepts like Amazon CloudFront for caching and content delivery, and AWS Global Accelerator for directing traffic across optimal edge locations to reduce latency. Understanding the interplay between these services and Elastic Load Balancing or API Gateway ensures you can architect solutions that intelligently distribute and accelerate user traffic worldwide.

The focus is on recognizing patterns that optimize not only speed, but also reliability and resilience in modern global architectures. You should be able to weigh the requirements of use cases, such as streaming media, e-commerce, or enterprise SaaS, and determine the right mix of AWS edge services to deliver secure, seamless user experiences.

1.2 Design DNS solutions that meet public, private, and hybrid requirements.

• DNS protocol (for example, DNS records, TTL, DNSSEC, DNS delegation, zones)
• DNS logging and monitoring
• Amazon Route 53 features (for example, alias records, traffic policies, resolvers, health checks)
• Integration of Route 53 with other AWS networking services (for example, Amazon VPC)
• Integration of Route 53 with hybrid, multi-account, and multi-Region options
• Domain registration
• Using Route 53 public hosted zones
• Using Route 53 private hosted zones
• Using Route 53 Resolver endpoints in hybrid and AWS architectures
• Using Route 53 for global traffic management
• Creating and managing domain registrations

1.2 summary: This section emphasizes designing DNS solutions with Amazon Route 53 for public, private, and hybrid scenarios. By becoming familiar with record types, TTL management, traffic policies, and health checks, you’ll learn how DNS not only resolves names but also balances performance, availability, and security for applications. Concepts such as DNSSEC and integration with services like VPC solidify your ability to design secure, resilient solutions.

You’ll also spend time understanding when to employ public hosted zones, private hosted zones, or Route 53 Resolver endpoints for hybrid architectures. The section ensures you can design DNS solutions for environments that span multiple accounts, Regions, or hybrid deployments with on-premises integration while incorporating logging and monitoring to validate reliability and compliance.

1.3 Design solutions that integrate load balancing to meet high availability, scalability, and security requirements.

• How load balancing works at layer 3, layer 4, and layer 7 of the OSI model
• Different types of load balancers and how they meet requirements for network design, high availability, and security
• Connectivity patterns that apply to load balancing based on the use case (for example, internal load balancers, external load balancers)
• Scaling factors for load balancers
• Integrations of load balancers and other AWS services (for example, Global Accelerator, CloudFront, AWS WAF, Route 53, Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service [Amazon EKS], AWS Certificate Manager [ACM])
• Configuration options for load balancers (for example, proxy protocol, cross-zone load balancing, session affinity [sticky sessions], routing algorithms)
• Configuration options for load balancer target groups (for example, TCP, GENEVE, IP compared with instance)
• AWS Load Balancer Controller for Kubernetes clusters
• Considerations for encryption and authentication with load balancers (for example, TLS termination, TLS passthrough)
• Selecting an appropriate load balancer based on the use case
• Integrating auto scaling with load balancing solutions
• Integrating load balancers with existing application deployments

1.3 summary: This section takes you deep into the world of load balancing on AWS and how it supports highly available and scalable architectures. You’ll learn about balancing at multiple OSI layers, when to use Application Load Balancer versus Network Load Balancer, and how features like sticky sessions and TLS handling shape your design decisions. Integration with AWS services like WAF, Route 53, or ACM is emphasized to show how a complete solution is built.

The key is recognizing which combination of load balancers best addresses availability requirements, elastic scaling, and secure communication. You’ll also encounter Kubernetes integration, auto scaling tie-ins, and best practices for enabling encryption and monitoring. This sets you up to design resilient workloads that respond seamlessly to demand.

1.4 Define logging and monitoring requirements across AWS and hybrid networks.

• Amazon CloudWatch metrics, agents, logs, alarms, dashboards, and insights in AWS architectures to provide visibility
• AWS Transit Gateway Network Manager in architectures to provide visibility
• VPC Reachability Analyzer in architectures to provide visibility
• Flow logs and traffic mirroring in architectures to provide visibility
• Access logging (for example, load balancers, CloudFront)
• Identifying the logging and monitoring requirements
• Recommending appropriate metrics to provide visibility of the network status
• Capturing baseline network performance

1.4 summary: This section underlines how to implement visibility across hybrid and AWS networks. With services like CloudWatch, VPC Flow Logs, Traffic Mirroring, and Transit Gateway Network Manager, you learn how to capture performance and connectivity insights. The material also emphasizes the critical role of baseline performance data for proactive capacity and health monitoring.

By the end, you’ll understand the importance of defining logging and monitoring requirements up front and aligning them with business needs and compliance. From dashboards and alarms to reachability analysis, you’ll be equipped to design solutions that not only work but also deliver real-time insights and robust support for operations.

1.5 Design a routing strategy and connectivity architecture between on-premises networks and the AWS Cloud.

• Routing fundamentals (for example, dynamic compared with static, BGP)
• Layer 1 and layer 2 concepts for physical interconnects (for example, VLAN, link aggregation group [LAG], optics, jumbo frames)
• Encapsulation and encryption technologies (for example, Generic Routing Encapsulation [GRE], IPsec)
• Resource sharing across AWS accounts
• Overlay networks
• Identifying the requirements for hybrid connectivity
• Designing a redundant hybrid connectivity model with AWS services (for example, AWS Direct Connect, AWS Site-to-Site VPN)
• Designing BGP routing with BGP attributes to influence the traffic flows based on the desired traffic patterns (load sharing, active/passive)
• Designing for integration of a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) with AWS (for example, Transit Gateway Connect, overlay networks)

1.5 summary: This section highlights critical hybrid connectivity designs that integrate on-premises networks with AWS. You’ll cover fundamentals such as the role of BGP, static routing, IPsec tunnels, VLANs, and link aggregation. Insights into encryption and encapsulation, like GRE and VPNs, show how traffic moves securely between cloud and on-premises data centers.

The emphasis is on designing for redundancy and resilience, with Direct Connect and site-to-site VPNs working together in layered models. You’ll also gain strategies for traffic engineering with BGP attributes, hybrid SD-WAN integration through Transit Gateway Connect, and resource sharing across accounts. These skills prepare you to deliver robust multi-environment architectures.

1.6 Design a routing strategy and connectivity architecture that include multiple AWS accounts, AWS Regions, and VPCs to support different connectivity patterns.

• Different connectivity patterns and use cases (for example, VPC peering, Transit Gateway, AWS PrivateLink)
• Capabilities and advantages of VPC sharing
• IP subnets and solutions accounting for IP address overlaps
• Connecting multiple VPCs by using the most appropriate services based on requirements (for example, using VPC peering, Transit Gateway, PrivateLink)
• Using VPC sharing in a multi-account setup
• Managing IP overlaps by using different available services and options (for example, NAT, PrivateLink, Transit Gateway routing)

1.6 summary: This section emphasizes multi-account and multi-Region architectures for scalable AWS networking. You’ll learn how Transit Gateway, VPC peering, and PrivateLink provide versatile communication strategies across environments. Additionally, you will explore patterns for central networking control in organizations with shared VPC resources.

The training ensures you can handle overlapping IP spaces, implement routing strategies with NAT or Transit Gateway, and balance inter-VPC communication demands. You’ll finish with the knowledge to design cross-environment architectures that optimize connectivity while avoiding IP conflicts and ensuring cost-efficient scalability.

Who should consider the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty certification?

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty (ANS-C01) is perfect for experienced networking professionals who are ready to demonstrate mastery of AWS and hybrid networking at scale. Ideal candidates typically have:

• 5 or more years of hands-on networking experience
• At least 2 years of cloud and hybrid networking experience
• Deep familiarity with advanced networking services and protocols

This certification is an excellent fit for network engineers, solutions architects, cloud infrastructure professionals, and IT specialists who want to position themselves as experts in secure, large-scale, and high-performing AWS network architectures.

What career opportunities can this certification open up?

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty can lead to high-demand professional roles where both cloud and networking expertise intersect. Certification holders often pursue job opportunities such as:

• Senior Network Engineer (Cloud and Hybrid)
• AWS Networking Specialist / Consultant
• Cloud Infrastructure Architect
• Cloud Security Engineer (with networking specialization)
• Solutions Architect focused on enterprise networking
• DevOps Engineer with strong networking responsibilities

Beyond job titles, this credential significantly enhances credibility with peers, hiring managers, and customers. It signals you are capable of designing networks that deliver scalability, resilience, and security for global cloud environments.

What is the latest version and exam code for AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty?

The latest version of the certification exam is ANS-C01. Staying current with this code ensures your preparation aligns with AWS’s updated emphasis on hybrid networking, multi-region connectivity, network security, and automation.

When preparing, always be certain your study materials reference ANS-C01 so you are practicing with the correct domains and services included in scope.

How many questions are on the AWS Advanced Networking Specialty exam?

The exam includes a total of 65 questions. These questions are presented in two formats:

• Multiple-choice (one correct answer)
• Multiple-response (two or more correct answers)

Of these 65 questions, only 50 are scored, while 15 are unscored. The unscored questions are experimental items AWS assesses for potential use in future exams, but you will not know which are which — so approach every question thoughtfully.

How long do I have to complete the ANS-C01 exam?

You will be given 170 minutes to complete the exam. This pacing allows plenty of time to read, analyze, and answer scenario-based networking questions that often involve complex architectures.

It’s recommended to keep an eye on the clock, but most candidates find that 170 minutes is generous if they practice managing time while working on mock exams beforehand.

What is the passing score for the exam?

To earn the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty certification, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 750 out of 1000. The scoring system is compensatory, meaning you do not need to pass each individual section — your overall score determines whether you succeed.

Your results report will show a breakdown of how you performed across each domain, helping you understand your strengths and areas for future improvement.

What languages is the AWS Advanced Networking Specialty offered in?

The exam is available globally in the following languages:

• English
• Japanese
• Korean
• Simplified Chinese

By offering multiple languages, AWS ensures accessibility for professionals around the world to demonstrate their networking expertise without language barriers.

How much does the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty cost?

The exam fee is $300 USD. Depending on your location, you may need to account for regional taxes or currency conversion.

If you already hold an active AWS Certification, you are eligible to receive a 50% discount voucher toward this exam, making it even more affordable to pursue multiple certifications in your career journey.

Where can I take the ANS-C01 certification exam?

Candidates can sit for the exam either in-person at a Pearson VUE testing center or online with remote proctoring.

If you prefer a controlled environment, a test center may be your best option. Alternatively, taking the exam online lets you test from your home or office provided you have a private, quiet room, stable internet, and a webcam-enabled computer.

What domains does the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty exam cover?

The exam blueprint is divided into four major domains, each with specific weightings:

1. Network Design (30%)
   • Content delivery patterns with CloudFront and Global Accelerator
   • DNS solutions with Route 53
   • Hybrid connectivity and load balancing
2. Network Implementation (26%)
   • Hybrid routing and connectivity
   • Multi-account and multi-region architectures
   • Complex DNS designs and automation with IaC
3. Network Management and Operations (20%)
   • Maintaining hybrid and cloud routing
   • Monitoring with VPC Flow Logs, CloudWatch, and Reachability Analyzer
   • Performance optimization with network interfaces, subnets, and Global Accelerator
4. Network Security, Compliance, and Governance (24%)
   • Securing traffic flows with AWS WAF, Shield, and Firewall
   • Logging and monitoring network traffic for audits
   • Data encryption and secure communications across the network

These domains ensure your skills reflect a well-rounded understanding of cloud-scale networking.

Are there any prerequisites to take the exam?

There are no strict prerequisites for registering, but AWS strongly recommends:

• 5+ years of networking experience
• 2+ years of cloud or hybrid experience
• Familiarity with core networking concepts such as BGP, IP addressing, DNS, encryption methods, MPLS, VPNs, and automation tools

Candidates who already hold an AWS Associate or Professional-level certification often find this Specialty exam to be a natural progression in their learning journey.

What kinds of topics and skills should I focus on when studying for ANS-C01?

Key areas of focus for this certification include both technical networking principles and their AWS implementations:

• Hybrid and multi-region networking design with Direct Connect, VPNs, and Transit Gateway
• Security with tools like AWS WAF, Shield, Network Firewall, and ACLs
• Load balancing and traffic management (ALB, NLB, Global Accelerator, CloudFront)
• Infrastructure automation with CloudFormation, AWS CDK, CLI, and APIs
• DNS architectures with Route 53 and hybrid name resolution
• Logging, monitoring, and visibility with VPC Flow Logs, Reachability Analyzer, CloudWatch, and Traffic Mirroring

What study strategies are most effective?

Preparation for this Specialty certification is most effective when you combine theory with practical experience. Suggested study approaches include:

• Hands-on practice in AWS Free Tier or sandbox accounts
• Reviewing AWS networking whitepapers and Well-Architected documentation
• Enrolling in AWS Skill Builder courses or advanced networking learning plans
• Working through practice labs that simulate hybrid connectivity and security scenarios

And most importantly, practicing with reliable AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty practice exams that mirror the real exam format. These not only test your knowledge but also develop your ability to manage time and apply learning to complex, scenario-driven questions.

How often must I recertify once I pass the exam?

Your AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty certification is valid for 3 years. To keep your credential active, you can recertify by passing the most current version of the exam before expiration. AWS also allows recertification by earning a higher-level certification.

How does this certification showcase my expertise?

Earning this certification communicates that you:

• Can design and implement resilient, scalable, secure networks on AWS
• Understand hybrid connectivity that integrates AWS with on-premises environments
• Apply deep knowledge of DNS, routing protocols, and traffic flow optimization
• Lead technical discussions and inspire confidence in both technical peers and business stakeholders

In essence, it validates that you are capable of managing enterprise-grade networking complexity with AWS.

How does the AWS Advanced Networking Specialty exam compare to Associate and Professional certifications?

Whereas Associate-level certifications focus on core cloud foundations and architecture best practices, the Specialty-level certification dives deep into networking at scale. It emphasizes multi-account, multi-region, and hybrid design patterns that extend far beyond entry-level knowledge.

Professionals often pursue this certification after completing either a Solutions Architect Professional or Security Specialty, as the knowledge areas reinforce one another.

What is the exam format like?

The ANS-C01 exam includes multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. Each question is scenario-driven, designed to test your ability to evaluate requirements and select the best possible solution.

Because AWS networking environments are often complex, expect the questions to assess not only your technical knowledge but also your ability to make decisions around cost, performance, and security.

What AWS services are in scope for the exam?

Some of the commonly-tested AWS services include:

• Amazon VPC
• AWS Transit Gateway and Direct Connect
• Elastic Load Balancing
• Amazon Route 53
• AWS Global Accelerator and CloudFront
• AWS WAF, AWS Shield, and Network Firewall
• CloudWatch, VPC Flow Logs, and Traffic Mirroring

These services represent the backbone of designing, implementing, and securing advanced networking solutions.

How should I schedule the exam?

Scheduling is simple. Log into your AWS Certification Account, choose the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty exam, and select an exam delivery option (online or at a Pearson VUE test center). From there, pick the date, time, and pay the exam fee to confirm your slot.

Are there common mistakes candidates make?

Yes, some candidates underestimate the importance of:

• Hybrid connectivity scenarios between AWS and on-premises setups
• Understanding the in-depth options within Route 53 for name resolution and traffic routing
• Fully leveraging monitoring and troubleshooting tools such as Reachability Analyzer
• Infrastructure automation for repeatable and scalable deployments

Focusing on these areas will give you additional confidence on exam day.

What comes after this certification?

After completing the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty, many professionals continue on to other advanced certifications, including:

• AWS Certified Security Specialty (for security-heavy environments)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional (for broader architecture leadership roles)
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional (for automation specialists)

These certifications help you shape a portfolio of skills that solidify your reputation as a top-tier AWS expert.

Where is the official AWS information page for this certification?

For full details directly from AWS, visit the official AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty certification page.

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Becoming AWS Certified in Advanced Networking is an exciting and highly rewarding milestone. With structured preparation, strong practice habits, and hands-on AWS experience, you will be ready to validate your networking expertise and shine as a leader in cloud-connected infrastructure.