Optimizing EC2 Instance Performance for Firewall Deployment
Question
Your IT Security department has deployed a firewall on an AWS EC2 Instance.
They have mandated that all traffic from certain applications needs to move through the firewall.
In such a case, what considerations should be made for the EC2 instance for maximum performance? Choose 2 answers.
Answers
Explanations
Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer
A. B. C. D.Answer - B and C.
Yes, if you choose a higher instance type, you will get better performance.
So, consider using a higher instance type.
Also, use Enhanced Networking for better networking support.
Option A is invalid because it is not necessary to use an Amazon Linux AMI only.
Option D is invalid because this is good from a security aspect but not a performance aspect.
For more information on Enhanced Networking, please visit the below URL:
https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/enhanced-networking.htmlWhen a firewall is deployed on an EC2 instance, there are certain considerations that need to be taken into account to ensure maximum performance. The following are two of the most important considerations:
The underlying instance type: The performance of an EC2 instance is largely dependent on its underlying hardware configuration. Therefore, choosing the right instance type is crucial for optimal performance. The instance type should be chosen based on the application's CPU and memory requirements as well as its network performance needs. For example, an application that requires high network bandwidth would benefit from an instance type that has enhanced networking capabilities such as the C5 or M5 instance families.
Driver support for the Intel Virtual Function and Elastic Network Adapter (ENA): When deploying a firewall on an EC2 instance, it is important to ensure that the instance has the necessary drivers for the Intel Virtual Function (VF) and Elastic Network Adapter (ENA) to achieve maximum network throughput. The Intel VF driver enables the firewall to bypass the hypervisor and directly access the underlying network hardware, while the ENA driver provides improved network performance and reduced latency. Both drivers are supported by Amazon Linux AMI, as well as other Linux distributions, but it is important to ensure that they are installed and properly configured for optimal performance.
Option A is not entirely correct, as while Amazon Linux AMI does support the necessary drivers, other Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Red Hat Enterprise Linux can also support the required drivers.
Option D is not directly related to maximizing the performance of the EC2 instance but rather is a network access control list that can be used to control traffic flow between subnets or specific IP addresses. While it can be used in conjunction with a firewall, it is not a direct consideration for maximizing the performance of the EC2 instance.
Therefore, the correct answers are B and C.
