Google ACE Configuring Access and Security Practice Question
Which of the following is required to enable Private Google Access on a subnet?
⚠ Common exam trap
ACE often tests the confusion between Private Google Access (internal-only access to Google APIs) and Cloud NAT (outbound internet access), causing candidates to pick Cloud NAT as a prerequisite.
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
✓
Configuring the subnet with --enable-private-ip-google-access
Private Google Access is enabled per-subnet using the gcloud flag --enable-private-ip-google-access (or the equivalent 'Private Google Access: On' setting in the console). This allows VM instances that only have internal IP addresses to reach Google APIs and services (such as Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and the metadata server) using Google's internal routing, without requiring an external IP or NAT. The setting is scoped to the subnet, so each subnet must be configured individually.
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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Key term
Cloud storage
Cloud storage is a service that lets you save data on remote servers accessed over the internet instead of on your computer's hard drive.
Key term
Metadata server
A metadata server is a network-accessible service that provides configuration data, credentials, and instance-specific information to virtual machines running in a cloud environment like Google Cloud Platform.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Google Cloud exam blueprint
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.