Google ACE Configuring Access and Security Practice Question

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

• ✓

  Configuring the subnet with --enable-private-ip-google-access

  Why this is correct

  The subnet-level flag --enable-private-ip-google-access is the required element because it configures the VPC subnet to route traffic from instances without external IPs directly to Google's public API endpoints over the Google network. Without this flag, VMs that lack an external IP address cannot reach Google APIs and services, even if the subnet has a default route with an internet gateway. This flag is set per subnet, and enabling it on the relevant subnet is the fundamental prerequisite for Private Google Access.

• ✗

  A Cloud Router in the same region

  Why it's wrong here

  A Cloud Router in the same region is not required because Cloud Router is primarily used for dynamic BGP routing in hybrid connectivity scenarios such as Cloud VPN or Dedicated Interconnect. Private Google Access does not depend on any BGP session, routing exchange, or VPN tunnel; instead, it relies on subnet-level configuration that makes the Google network's internal routing handle the traffic. Cloud Router would be relevant for transmitting routes between your VPC and on-premises network, but it plays no role in enabling VMs to reach Google APIs with only internal IPs.

• ✗

  A Cloud NAT gateway

  Why it's wrong here

  A Cloud NAT gateway is not required because Cloud NAT provides outbound internet access by translating private IPs to a public IP, whereas Private Google Access is a distinct capability that lets instances reach Google APIs without needing a public IP or NAT. These features are independent: you can have Private Google Access enabled without any Cloud NAT, and you can have Cloud NAT without Private Google Access. Adding a NAT gateway would not enable or enhance Private Google Access; it addresses a different network egress need.

• ✗

  VPC peering with a Google-managed network

  Why it's wrong here

  VPC peering with a Google-managed network is not required because Private Google Access does not involve peering; it is a subnet-level property that changes how traffic to Google's publicly owned IP ranges is forwarded. VPC peering is used to connect your VPC to other VPCs, including Google's managed networks for services like Cloud SQL via private services access, but that is a separate mechanism with different configuration steps. Private Google Access works without peering because Google's infrastructure inherently recognizes and routes the traffic internally when the subnet flag is set.

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