- A
Use the Cloud SQL public IP with SSL required — Cloud Run can reach public IPs
Why wrong: Using public IPs exposes the database to the internet unnecessarily — and for truly private instances, public access may be disabled.
- B
Configure the Cloud Run service with `--add-cloudsql-instances` to connect via the built-in Auth Proxy
Cloud Run natively integrates with Cloud SQL via the `--add-cloudsql-instances` flag. This configures a Unix socket via Cloud SQL Auth Proxy, providing secure, authenticated connectivity without public IPs.
- C
Deploy a separate Cloud SQL Auth Proxy container in the same Cloud Run service as a sidecar
Why wrong: Cloud Run Services run a single container per instance — sidecars are not natively supported in Cloud Run (only in Cloud Run for Anthos). The built-in `--add-cloudsql-instances` is the correct approach.
- D
Enable Serverless VPC Access connector to route Cloud Run traffic to the private Cloud SQL IP
Why wrong: Serverless VPC Access connects Cloud Run to private VPC resources — it's useful for other private services, but Cloud SQL connectivity is better handled via the built-in Auth Proxy integration.
Google ACE Practice Question: A Cloud Run service requires access to a private…
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of ace exam topics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 Cloud Run service requires access to a private Cloud SQL instance in the same VPC. The Cloud SQL instance is not publicly accessible. How should the Cloud Run service connect to Cloud SQL without using the Cloud SQL Auth Proxy separately?
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
Configure the Cloud Run service with `--add-cloudsql-instances` to connect via the built-in Auth Proxy
Option B is correct because the Cloud Run service can use the `--add-cloudsql-instances` flag, which automatically deploys a built-in Cloud SQL Auth Proxy sidecar container within the same pod. This proxy establishes a secure, encrypted connection to the private Cloud SQL instance using the instance's private IP, without requiring the instance to have a public IP or the user to manage a separate proxy. The proxy authenticates via the service account attached to the Cloud Run service, enabling seamless and secure connectivity.
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.
- ✗
Use the Cloud SQL public IP with SSL required — Cloud Run can reach public IPs
Why it's wrong here
Using public IPs exposes the database to the internet unnecessarily — and for truly private instances, public access may be disabled.
- ✓
Configure the Cloud Run service with `--add-cloudsql-instances` to connect via the built-in Auth Proxy
Why this is correct
Cloud Run natively integrates with Cloud SQL via the `--add-cloudsql-instances` flag. This configures a Unix socket via Cloud SQL Auth Proxy, providing secure, authenticated connectivity without public IPs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deploy a separate Cloud SQL Auth Proxy container in the same Cloud Run service as a sidecar
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Run Services run a single container per instance — sidecars are not natively supported in Cloud Run (only in Cloud Run for Anthos). The built-in `--add-cloudsql-instances` is the correct approach.
- ✗
Enable Serverless VPC Access connector to route Cloud Run traffic to the private Cloud SQL IP
Why it's wrong here
Serverless VPC Access connects Cloud Run to private VPC resources — it's useful for other private services, but Cloud SQL connectivity is better handled via the built-in Auth Proxy integration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Serverless VPC Access connectors with the Cloud SQL Auth Proxy, thinking that VPC connectivity alone is sufficient to reach a private Cloud SQL instance, but they miss that the proxy is required for authentication and encrypted tunneling even within the same VPC.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The built-in Cloud SQL Auth Proxy uses a Unix socket or TCP connection to the Cloud SQL instance, leveraging IAM-based authentication via the Cloud Run service account. Under the hood, the proxy establishes a TLS 1.3 encrypted tunnel to the Cloud SQL instance's control plane, then forwards traffic to the private IP, ensuring the database never needs a public IP. In real-world scenarios, this approach simplifies security compliance by avoiding open firewall rules and reducing the attack surface, as the proxy handles both authentication and encryption automatically.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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: Configure the Cloud Run service with `--add-cloudsql-instances` to connect via the built-in Auth Proxy — Option B is correct because the Cloud Run service can use the `--add-cloudsql-instances` flag, which automatically deploys a built-in Cloud SQL Auth Proxy sidecar container within the same pod. This proxy establishes a secure, encrypted connection to the private Cloud SQL instance using the instance's private IP, without requiring the instance to have a public IP or the user to manage a separate proxy. The proxy authenticates via the service account attached to the Cloud Run service, enabling seamless and secure connectivity.
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 11, 2026
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.
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