AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Study Guide 2025: Updated Prep Materials
Get ready for the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification with our comprehensive 2025 study guide. Updated with the latest exam objectives, study strategies, and expert tips to help you pass on your first attempt.
Exam Quick Facts
Why This 2025 Guide?
Prepared with the latest exam objectives and proven study strategies
2025 Updated
Reflects the latest exam objectives and content updates for 2025
Exam Aligned
Covers all current exam domains with accurate weightings
Proven Strategies
Time-tested study techniques from successful candidates
Fast Track Path
Efficient study plan to pass on your first attempt
Complete Study Materials
Comprehensive 2025 study guide for AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty
Complete Study Guide for AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty (ANS-C01)
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.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Network engineers with 5+ years of networking experience
- Solutions architects specializing in network architecture
- Cloud network engineers managing enterprise AWS deployments
- Network administrators transitioning to cloud infrastructure
- DevOps engineers responsible for network automation and infrastructure as code
Prerequisites
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or equivalent knowledge
- Strong understanding of networking concepts (OSI model, TCP/IP, routing, switching)
- Experience with AWS core services (VPC, EC2, S3, Route 53)
- Familiarity with network security principles and best practices
- Hands-on experience with AWS networking services (Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPN)
- Understanding of hybrid cloud architectures
- Knowledge of network automation and infrastructure as code (CloudFormation, Terraform)
Official Resources
AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Exam Guide
Official exam landing page with overview, sample questions, and registration information
View ResourceAWS Exam Prep Official Practice Question Set
Official practice questions from AWS to test your knowledge
View ResourceAWS Skill Builder - Advanced Networking Learning Plan
Curated learning path with courses specifically designed for the ANS-C01 exam
View ResourceAWS VPC Documentation
Comprehensive documentation for Amazon Virtual Private Cloud
View ResourceAWS Direct Connect Documentation
Official documentation for AWS Direct Connect hybrid connectivity
View ResourceAWS Transit Gateway Documentation
Documentation for connecting VPCs and on-premises networks
View ResourceAWS Route 53 Documentation
DNS service documentation including routing policies and health checks
View ResourceAWS CloudFront Documentation
Content delivery network service documentation
View ResourceAWS Global Accelerator Documentation
Network layer service for improving application availability and performance
View ResourceAWS PrivateLink Documentation
Private connectivity between VPCs and AWS services
View ResourceAWS Networking and Content Delivery Whitepapers
Collection of AWS whitepapers on networking and content delivery
View ResourceAWS Well-Architected Framework - Reliability Pillar
Best practices for network resilience and reliability
View ResourceAWS Security Best Practices
Security architecture and best practices for AWS networking
View ResourceAWS Network Firewall Documentation
Managed network firewall service documentation
View ResourceAWS Client VPN Documentation
Managed client-based VPN service documentation
View ResourceRecommended Courses
Exam Prep: AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty
AWS Skill Builder • 5 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
AWS Certified Advanced Networking Official Study Guide: Specialty Exam
by Sidhartha Chauhan, Matt Lehwess
Official study guide covering all exam domains with practice questions and hands-on exercises
View on AmazonAWS Certified Advanced Networking Study Guide: Specialty (ANS-C01) Exam
by Todd Montgomery
Comprehensive guide with real-world scenarios and practice tests for the ANS-C01 exam
View on AmazonAWS Networking Cookbook
by Satyajit Das
Practical recipes for implementing AWS networking solutions with step-by-step instructions
View on AmazonMastering AWS Networking
by Satyajit Das, Ajay Prabhakar
Deep dive into AWS networking concepts with architectural patterns and best practices
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
AWS Official Practice Exam
Official practice questions from AWS with detailed explanations
View ResourceTutorials Dojo ANS-C01 Practice Exams
High-quality practice exams with detailed explanations and timed mode
View ResourceWhizlabs ANS-C01 Practice Tests
Multiple practice tests with performance tracking and explanations
View ResourceCloudFormation Sample Templates - Networking
Sample templates for deploying network architectures
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
AWS Certification Reddit Community
Active community sharing study tips, resources, and exam experiences
Join CommunityAWS Advanced Networking Subreddit
General AWS discussions including networking topics and architecture reviews
Join CommunityTutorials Dojo Study Guide
Free comprehensive study guide with exam tips and service comparisons
Join CommunityAWS Architecture Blog
Real-world architecture patterns and networking best practices from AWS
Join CommunityAWS Networking and Content Delivery Blog
Latest updates, tutorials, and best practices for AWS networking services
Join CommunityLinkedIn AWS Certification Group
Professional networking and certification discussion group
Join CommunityStudy 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 Tips
- 1Arrive 15 minutes early for in-person exams or start online exam setup 30 minutes before
- 2Bring two forms of ID for in-person testing (check AWS certification policies)
- 3Use the whiteboard/notepad to draw network diagrams for complex questions
- 4Read each question twice before selecting an answer - watch for negative questions (NOT, EXCEPT)
- 5Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing easier ones
- 6For scenario questions, identify the key requirements: security, cost, performance, or operational overhead
- 7Eliminate answers that don't address all requirements in the question
- 8Watch your time - pace yourself to spend ~2.5 minutes per question
- 9Use the 'Mark for Review' feature for questions you want to revisit
- 10Don't leave any questions unanswered - make educated guesses if needed
- 11Review all flagged questions if time permits before submitting
- 12Stay calm and confident - you've prepared thoroughly for this specialty exam
- 13Remember that AWS prefers managed services and automation in their solutions
- 14Consider security first, then cost optimization when multiple correct answers exist
Study guide generated on January 7, 2026
AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty 2025 Study Guide FAQs
AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty is a professional certification from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that validates expertise in aws certified advanced networking - specialty technologies and concepts. The official exam code is ANS-C01.
The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Study Guide 2025 includes updated content reflecting the latest exam changes, new technologies, and best practices. It covers all current exam objectives and domains.
Yes, the 2025 AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty study guide has been updated with new content, revised exam objectives, and the latest industry trends. It reflects all changes made to the ANS-C01 exam.
Start by reviewing the exam objectives in the 2025 guide, then work through each section systematically. Combine your study with practice exams to reinforce your learning.
More 2025 Resources
Complete your exam preparation with these resources