Cloud Digital Leader Scaling with Google Cloud operations Practice Question
A company's production database is running on a Compute Engine VM with a 500 GB Persistent Disk. The operations team wants to create a backup they can restore from in case of data corruption or accidental deletion. Which Google Cloud capability provides point-in-time backup for Persistent Disks?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse Cloud SQL backups (which are for managed databases) with the need to back up a database running on a Compute Engine VM, leading them to select option C instead of the correct Persistent Disk Snapshots.
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
✓
Persistent Disk Snapshots, which capture the disk state at a point in time and enable restoration or creation of new disks from that snapshot
Persistent Disk Snapshots are the correct Google Cloud feature for creating point-in-time backups of Persistent Disks. They capture the disk's data and configuration at a specific moment, allowing you to restore the disk or create new disks from that snapshot. This is the native, recommended method for backup and disaster recovery of Compute Engine VM disks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Cloud Storage bucket replication, by continuously copying the database files to a storage bucket
Why it's wrong here
Replication of database files at the storage layer while the database is running would capture inconsistent data (database files are modified in-place during operation). Proper database backup requires either application-consistent snapshots or database-level backup tools.
- ✓
Persistent Disk Snapshots, which capture the disk state at a point in time and enable restoration or creation of new disks from that snapshot
Why this is correct
Persistent Disk Snapshots are the correct mechanism. They capture a consistent point-in-time image of the disk (application-consistent when used with snapshot agent or after flushing I/O). Snapshots are stored in Cloud Storage, incremental after the first snapshot, and can be used to create a new disk or restore data.
- ✗
Cloud SQL automated backups, which protect databases running on Compute Engine VMs
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL automated backups are a managed backup feature for Cloud SQL instances (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server) and cannot be applied to self-managed databases running on Compute Engine VMs. If you install PostgreSQL or MySQL directly on a VM, you are responsible for database-level backups (e.g., pg_dump or mysqldump) or for coordinating consistent disk snapshots; Cloud SQL's backup mechanism is completely separate from the VM's disks. Therefore, selecting this option incorrectly assumes Cloud SQL can protect databases outside of its managed service.
- ✗
VM live migration, which moves the running VM between physical hosts, automatically creating a backup in the process
Why it's wrong here
VM live migration is a Compute Engine feature that moves a running VM from one host to another without downtime, typically for maintenance or infrastructure updates. It does not create any backup or snapshot of the persistent disks; the same disks remain attached before and after migration, and no point-in-time recovery copy is produced. This option confuses high availability (keeping the VM running) with data protection (creating a restorable artifact), which are distinct concerns.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Cloud Digital Transformation
Key term
Google Cloud
Google Cloud is a suite of cloud computing services offered by Google that provides infrastructure, platform, and software solutions over the internet.
Key term
Disaster recovery
Disaster recovery is a set of policies, procedures, and tools that help an organization restore critical IT systems and data after a disruptive event.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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