Let’s discuss the basics of Route 53 Resolver and walk through some examples of how to configure it for your specific environment.

Table of Contents

What is Route 53 Resolver?

Amazon Route 53 Resolver is a fully managed DNS service that AWS customers can use to resolve domain names, and route traffic from their VPCs to internet or on-premises resources. Route 53 Resolver allows you to use a consistent set of domain names for your resources, whether they’re located in AWS or on-premises, simplifying your DNS infrastructure.

Configuring Route 53 Resolver

Configuring Route 53 Resolver principally consists of two key tasks: Setting up a rule and creating endpoints.

Setting up a Rule

A rule maps domain names to IP addresses. Here’s an example of how a rule might be configured:

  • Open the Amazon Route 53 console.
  • In the navigation pane, click on “Rules”.
  • Click “Create rule”.
  • Specify the necessary details for the rule, including the domain name and the IP of the target endpoint.
  • Choose “Resolve via associated VPCs”.
  • Select the VPCs to associate the DNS rule with.
  • Click “Create”.

After you click “Create”, Route 53 sets up the rule and it becomes available to use.

Creating Endpoints

Endpoints are responsible for forwarding DNS queries from a VPC to another network or from another network to a VPC. There are two types: Inbound and Outbound, depending on the direction of the traffic.

To set up an endpoint:

  • Open the Route 53 console.
  • In the navigation pane, click on “Resolver Endpoints”.
  • Click “Create”.
  • Select the type of endpoint – “Inbound” or “Outbound”.
  • Specify the necessary details, such as endpoint name, VPCs and IP addresses to use for the Resolver.
  • Click “Create”.

After the endpoint is created, it takes a few minutes to become operational. You can check the status of the endpoint on the “Endpoints” page in the Route 53 console.


Setting up Route 53 Resolver helps you to manage and route DNS traffic between your AWS resources and on-premises environment. It’s important to note that while a rule directs how to resolve the domain names, an endpoint controls the route of DNS queries.

Understanding Route 53 Resolver’s rule and endpoint configuration is a significant topic in the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02) exam. By understanding their configuration and functionality, you can ensure effective DNS resolution for all your applications across your AWS and on-premises environments.

Further learning should be supplemented with hands-on practice in the AWS console and a thorough understanding of the concepts explained in the official AWS documentation. Always ensure that you’re learning from trusted sources to guarantee the information is accurate and up-to-date.

Practice Test

True or False: Route 53 Resolver can only be used with Amazon’s own DNS service.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver can be used not only with AWS’s own DNS service but also with on-premises DNS resources in hybrid cloud environments.

Which of the following is NOT a task that can be performed by AWS Route 53 Resolver?

  • A. Forwarding DNS queries
  • B. Resolving DNS queries
  • C. Scaling databases
  • D. Routing traffic based on multiple factors

Answer: C. Scaling databases

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver is responsible for forwarding DNS queries, resolving DNS queries, and routing traffic based on multiple factors. Scaling databases is not within the purview of Route 53 Resolver.

True or False: You can use Route 53 Resolver rules to specify that DNS queries for a specified domain name should be resolved using your on-premises DNS servers.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: You can indeed use Route 53 Resolver rules to route DNS queries for a given domain to your own on-premises DNS servers, providing centralized control over DNS resolution.

What are the primary benefits of AWS Route 53 Resolver? (Select Three)

  • A. Higher availability
  • B. Database optimization
  • C. Increased reliability
  • D. Seamless DNS resolution across hybrid environments
  • E. Lower costs

Answer: A. Higher availability, C. Increased reliability, D. Seamless DNS resolution across hybrid environments

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver allows for greater availability, increased reliability, and seamless DNS resolution across hybrid environments. It’s not specifically targeted at cost reduction or database optimization.

True or False: AWS Route 53 Resolver can’t resolve public DNS hostnames.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver can resolve public DNS hostnames. It allows resolving DNS queries from AWS infrastructure to the public Internet and vice versa.

Which of the following statements is NOT true about AWS Route 53 Resolver?

  • A. It can route DNS queries between your network and AWS
  • B. It can’t resolve DNS queries for custom domain names
  • C. It provides hybrid DNS support
  • D. It can forward DNS queries to your network’s DNS servers

Answer: B. It can’t resolve DNS queries for custom domain names

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver indeed can resolve queries for custom domain names. This is part of its support for forwarding DNS queries to network DNS servers and hybrid DNS.

Which AWS service enables developers to convert domain names into IP addresses?

  • A. Amazon EC2
  • B. AWS Lambda
  • C. Route 53
  • D. AWS S3

Answer: C. Route 53

Explanation: The primary role of Route 53 is as a DNS web service where it translates domain names into IP addresses, using a global network of authoritative DNS servers.

True or False: Route 53 Resolver does not support forwarding of DNS queries.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver does support forwarding of DNS queries. This allows for centralized control and resolution of queries.

In what form does Route 53 Resolver provide DNS logs?

  • A. CSV
  • B. Plain text
  • C. XML
  • D. JSON

Answer: D. JSON

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver provides DNS logs in JSON format for analysis and trouble-shooting.

True or False: Route 53 Resolver rules are region-specific.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Route 53 Resolver rules are associated to a specific region and will not be applied across different regions. Each region maintains its own set of DNS resolver rules.

Interview Questions

What is the primary purpose of Amazon Route 53 Resolver?

Amazon Route 53 Resolver makes it possible for AWS resources, such as EC2 instances, to resolve DNS domain names to the corresponding IP addresses.

Can Amazon Route 53 resolver be used for domain names that aren’t managed by Route 53?

Yes, Route 53 Resolver can resolve DNS domain names that are managed outside of Amazon Route 53.

How does AWS Route 53 handle DNS resolution?

AWS Route 53 performs three main functions: domain registration, DNS routing, and health checking of resources within your environment.

What are the primary components of Amazon Route 53?

The primary components of Amazon Route 53 include DNS records, hosted zones, and domain names.

Converting domain names to IP addresses in AWS is the responsibility of what service?

Domain name to IP address resolution is the responsibility of Amazon Route 53.

Why is Amazon Route 53 synonymous with DNS and domain registration in AWS?

Amazon Route 53 is synonymous with DNS and domain registration in AWS because it provides both DNS routing and domain name registration capabilities.

How do you implement Route 53 Resolver in a VPC?

You implement Route 53 Resolver in a VPC by creating a Resolver Rule, which determines whether queries from EC2 instances in your VPC are forwarded to another IP address or returned with a specified value.

Can you use Route 53 Resolver for hybrid cloud scenarios?

Yes, Route 53 Resolver can be used in hybrid cloud scenarios to forward DNS queries between your AWS VPCs and your on-premises networks.

What does Route 53 Resolver DNS Firewall do?

Route 53 Resolver DNS Firewall provides domain filtering capability in your VPC, enabling you to control access to domains on the internet and block access to malicious domains.

How is billing handled for Amazon Route 53?

Billing for Amazon Route 53 is based on the number of hosted zones, the number of DNS queries, and whether any optional features such as traffic flow or DNSSEC are enabled.

Can you create subdomains with Amazon Route 53?

Yes, you can create subdomains within Amazon Route 53 by creating records in the hosted zone for your domain.

Are there any limits to the number of domains I can manage with Amazon Route 53?

By default, AWS accounts can manage up to 500 domains with Amazon Route 53. If you need to manage more domains, you can request an increase in this limit.

What is the purpose of using Amazon Route 53’s health check feature?

Health checks in Amazon Route 53 continually check the health of your resources and are used to route traffic away from unhealthy resources.

How can I transfer an existing domain to Amazon Route 53?

You can transfer an existing domain to Amazon Route 53 by purchasing a transfer from another domain registrar and updating the nameservers for your domain to the ones provided by Amazon Route 53.

What happens when a query to Amazon Route 53 fails?

If Amazon Route 53 cannot resolve a query due to a server error or because the requested domain does not exist, it will return a “SERVFAIL” or “NXDOMAIN” DNS response code, respectively.

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