easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Google ACE Practice Question: A developer deployed a new version of a Compute…
A developer deployed a new version of a Compute Engine instance but the startup script fails to run. The developer needs to debug the startup script. Which step should be taken first?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse checking instance metadata (which stores the script) with viewing execution logs (serial port output), or they assume RDP/SSH is available when the script failure may prevent those services from starting.
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
✓
Review the serial port 1 output in the Google Cloud console.
Serial port 1 output in the Google Cloud console captures the instance's serial console logs, including startup script execution output and any errors. This is the first and most direct step to debug a failing startup script because it shows the script's stdout, stderr, and any system messages during boot, without requiring network access or additional tools.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
RDP into the instance and check the system logs.
Why it's wrong here
RDP into the instance would only work if the instance is already reachable over the network and running a Windows OS; if the boot or startup script fails, the instance may never be accessible via RDP. Even if RDP succeeded, the System Log would not show the early boot or startup script output that is needed to diagnose the deployment issue. Serial port output is the correct place to look for these logs, not RDP.
- ✗
Check the instance's metadata for startup script errors.
Why it's wrong here
The instance metadata in Compute Engine stores configuration like the startup script itself, but it does not capture or expose the script's execution output or any errors it produced. Startup script output (stdout/stderr) is written to the serial port, not to the metadata. Therefore, checking metadata for startup script errors is useless because the metadata only defines what to run, not what happened when it ran.
- ✗
Recreate the instance with a new image.
Why it's wrong here
Recreating the instance with a new image starts over from a generic baseline and would discard the current instance's disks and configuration, effectively deleting the very evidence needed for debugging. It does not reproduce the startup script or the new version's code, so the root cause (such as a bad config or missing dependency) would remain unknown. The correct approach is to inspect the existing instance's serial output, not to rebuild it.
- ✓
Review the serial port 1 output in the Google Cloud console.
Why this is correct
The serial port 1 (COM1) output in the Google Cloud console is the canonical way to see the full boot sequence, kernel messages, and any startup script output or errors. Unlike network-based access (RDP/SSH), serial output is available even if the instance has not fully booted or has no network connectivity. This is why Cloud Console provides a 'Serial port 1' view under the instance's 'Logs' section, and it is the first place to look for startup script failures.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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Google Cloud Platform Overview
Key term
Compute Engine
Compute Engine is Google Cloud's Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offering that lets you create and run virtual machines on Google's infrastructure.
Key term
Startup script
A startup script is a file of commands or code that runs automatically when a cloud virtual machine starts up, allowing you to configure the system without manual logging in.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This ACE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 ACE exam.