Google PCA Manage implementation of cloud architecture Practice Question
A company is deploying a new application on Compute Engine and wants to automate the installation of a custom agent on every newly created VM in a specific project. Which Google Cloud service should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse configuration management (OS Config guest policies) with provisioning-time automation (startup scripts in instance templates), assuming that startup scripts are sufficient for fleet-wide enforcement when they only apply at creation time and are not re-evaluated.
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
✓
VM Manager (OS Config) with a guest policy to install the agent.
VM Manager (OS Config) with a guest policy is the correct choice because it provides a native, agent-based configuration management service that can enforce the installation of a custom agent on all existing and newly created VMs in a project without requiring changes to instance templates or startup scripts. Guest policies are evaluated and applied at VM boot time and periodically thereafter, ensuring consistent agent deployment across the fleet.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
VM Manager (OS Config) with a guest policy to install the agent.
Why this is correct
Os Config can enforce agent installation on all VMs in a project.
- ✗
Instance templates with startup scripts.
Why it's wrong here
Only applies to VMs created from that specific template; not all VMs.
- ✗
Deployment Manager with a template that includes the agent installation.
Why it's wrong here
Deployment Manager is for initial deployment, not for VMs created outside templates.
- ✗
Cloud Build triggered on new VM creation events.
Why it's wrong here
No native trigger for VM creation.
Go deeper
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