Cloud Digital Leader Practice Question: Google Cloud products, services, and solutions
A project manager wants a cost-effective way to run batch processing jobs that run for a few hours each night. The jobs are fault-tolerant and can be interrupted. Which Compute Engine option is most suitable?
⚠ Common exam trap
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that preemptible VMs are only for short-lived tasks, but the trap here is that candidates overlook the 'fault-tolerant and can be interrupted' requirement and choose committed use discounts, failing to recognize that preemptible VMs are the most cost-effective option for nightly batch jobs that can handle interruptions.
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
✓
Preemptible VMs
Preemptible VMs are Compute Engine instances that last up to 24 hours and can be terminated at any time by Google Cloud, making them ideal for fault-tolerant, interruptible batch jobs that run for a few hours each night. They offer up to 80% cost savings compared to regular VMs, which aligns perfectly with the project manager's requirement for a cost-effective solution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
N2 high-CPU VMs
Why it's wrong here
N2 high-CPU VMs are standard on-demand instances billed for their full runtime, so nightly batch jobs pay premium rates despite being interruptible. They suit sustained CPU-intensive workloads needing guaranteed capacity. Fault-tolerant jobs that tolerate interruption should instead run on Spot VMs at substantially reduced prices.
- ✗
Regular VMs with committed use discounts
Why it's wrong here
Committed use discounts require a one- or three-year spend commitment, so they raise cost for intermittent nightly jobs and cannot be released when the batch finishes. They suit steady, predictable 24/7 workloads. Fault-tolerant, interruptible batch jobs instead match Spot VMs, which offer steep discounts and can be preempted freely.
- ✗
Sole-tenant nodes
Why it's wrong here
Sole-tenant nodes dedicate an entire physical host to one project, charging a premium for hardware isolation and compliance requirements. They suit regulatory or licensing constraints demanding physical separation. A fault-tolerant nightly batch job gains nothing from dedicated hardware and should use preemptible Spot VMs for lower cost.
- ✓
Preemptible VMs
Why this is correct
Preemptible VMs cost far less than standard instances but can be terminated at any time, suiting the fault-tolerant, interruptible nightly batch jobs described. Their maximum 24-hour runtime comfortably covers the few-hour window, satisfying the cost-effectiveness constraint.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Compute Comparison: VMs vs Containers vs Serverless
Key term
Project
A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end, undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result, managed through specific processes in IT environments.
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.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This GCDL 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 GCDL exam.