CV0-004 Cloud Architecture and Design Practice Question
A cloud architect is designing a globally distributed application on Google Cloud. The application must serve users from the closest possible point of presence with minimal latency while using a single anycast IP address. Which load balancing solution should the architect choose?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any load balancer with 'external' in its name can provide global anycast routing, when in fact regional and passthrough network load balancers are scoped to a single region and operate at layer 4.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Global external Application Load Balancer
The global external Application Load Balancer is the only option that provides a single anycast IP address and automatically routes users to the closest healthy backend across Google Cloud regions. It is purpose-built for global, layer 7 applications that require minimal latency and high availability, making it the correct choice for this scenario.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Internal passthrough Network Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
An internal passthrough Network Load Balancer is designed for private, internal traffic within a VPC or connected networks. It does not expose a public anycast IP or route external user traffic to the nearest edge location. It operates at layer 4 and is not suitable for globally distributed, internet-facing applications.
- ✗
External passthrough Network Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
An external passthrough Network Load Balancer distributes TCP/UDP traffic at layer 4 and does not provide layer 7 HTTP(S) routing or global anycast IP-based proximity steering. It is regional in scope and would require additional global load balancing or DNS-based routing to achieve global distribution, adding complexity and latency.
- ✗
Regional external Application Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
A regional external Application Load Balancer distributes traffic only within a single region and does not provide a global anycast IP or automatic cross-region proximity routing. Users would need to be directed to a specific regional endpoint, which does not satisfy the global low-latency requirement. It is intended for regional workloads, not global distribution.
- ✓
Global external Application Load Balancer
Why this is correct
A global external Application Load Balancer uses a single anycast IP address and routes user traffic to the closest healthy backend based on Google's global network. It operates at layer 7, supports HTTP(S) workloads, and is designed for global low-latency distribution. This matches the requirement for a single IP and proximity-based routing across regions.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This CV0-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CV0-004 exam.