- A
A HostPath volume pointing to a directory on the node
Why wrong: HostPath mounts a path on the specific node where the Pod runs — if the Pod is rescheduled to another node, it loses access to that data.
- B
A ConfigMap mounted as a volume
Why wrong: ConfigMaps store configuration data, not application-written state. They're read-only (by design) and not appropriate for stateful write workloads.
- C
A PersistentVolumeClaim backed by a GCE persistent disk StorageClass
A PVC with a GCE persistent disk StorageClass provisions a durable disk that is detached from one node and reattached to the new node when the Pod is rescheduled.
- D
An emptyDir volume scoped to the Pod
Why wrong: emptyDir volumes are ephemeral — they exist only while the Pod is running and are deleted when the Pod is removed or rescheduled.
How to Ensure Persistent Disk Follows Pod Across Nodes in GKE
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of ace exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A team is migrating a stateful application with local disk writes to GKE. The application requires a dedicated persistent disk that follows the Pod if it's rescheduled to a different node. Which Kubernetes resource provides this?
Quick Answer
The answer is a PersistentVolumeClaim backed by a GCE persistent disk StorageClass. This is correct because the PVC abstracts the underlying GCE persistent disk as a durable, network-attached block storage volume that exists independently of any single Pod or node. When a Pod is rescheduled to a different node, the Kubernetes volume plugin automatically detaches the disk from the old node and reattaches it to the new node, ensuring the application’s state follows the Pod seamlessly. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of stateful workload patterns in GKE, often appearing as a distractor against ephemeral volumes like emptyDir or hostPath, which do not survive rescheduling. A common trap is assuming node-level storage like local SSDs will follow the Pod, but they are tied to the node’s lifecycle. Memory tip: think “PVC = Persistent Volume Chaperone” — it escorts your disk wherever the Pod goes.
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
A PersistentVolumeClaim backed by a GCE persistent disk StorageClass
A PersistentVolumeClaim (PVC) backed by a GCE persistent disk StorageClass is the correct choice because it provides a durable, network-attached block storage volume that persists independently of the Pod's lifecycle. When the Pod is rescheduled to a different node, the PVC ensures the GCE persistent disk is detached from the old node and reattached to the new node, preserving the application's state. This meets the requirement for a dedicated persistent disk that follows the Pod across rescheduling events.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A HostPath volume pointing to a directory on the node
Why it's wrong here
HostPath mounts a path on the specific node where the Pod runs — if the Pod is rescheduled to another node, it loses access to that data.
- ✗
A ConfigMap mounted as a volume
Why it's wrong here
ConfigMaps store configuration data, not application-written state. They're read-only (by design) and not appropriate for stateful write workloads.
- ✓
A PersistentVolumeClaim backed by a GCE persistent disk StorageClass
Why this is correct
A PVC with a GCE persistent disk StorageClass provisions a durable disk that is detached from one node and reattached to the new node when the Pod is rescheduled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
An emptyDir volume scoped to the Pod
Why it's wrong here
emptyDir volumes are ephemeral — they exist only while the Pod is running and are deleted when the Pod is removed or rescheduled.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between ephemeral (emptyDir, HostPath) and persistent (PVC-backed) storage, trapping candidates who confuse node-local storage with cluster-wide persistent volumes that follow Pods across nodes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, GKE uses the Compute Engine persistent disk CSI driver to dynamically provision and attach GCE persistent disks to Pods via PVCs. When a Pod with a PVC is rescheduled, the Kubernetes controller-manager coordinates with the CSI driver to detach the disk from the old node and attach it to the new node, ensuring data consistency. A real-world scenario is a stateful database like Cassandra or MySQL, where each Pod requires a dedicated, durable volume that survives node failures or cluster autoscaling events.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A PersistentVolumeClaim backed by a GCE persistent disk StorageClass — A PersistentVolumeClaim (PVC) backed by a GCE persistent disk StorageClass is the correct choice because it provides a durable, network-attached block storage volume that persists independently of the Pod's lifecycle. When the Pod is rescheduled to a different node, the PVC ensures the GCE persistent disk is detached from the old node and reattached to the new node, preserving the application's state. This meets the requirement for a dedicated persistent disk that follows the Pod across rescheduling events.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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