- A
Export the database daily using gsutil and import in the other region using pg_restore.
Why wrong: Daily export/import leads to up to 24 hours of data loss and recovery time is high due to import time.
- B
Create a cross-region read replica and promote it to primary during failover.
Why wrong: Read replicas may have replication lag (seconds to minutes), and promotion is manual, not automatic failover.
- C
Configure a cross-region replica instance using Cloud SQL's cross-region replication feature.
Cross-region replication provides a standby instance with synchronous replication, minimal data loss, and failover in minutes.
- D
Automated backups with point-in-time recovery to a new instance in the other region.
Why wrong: Recovery from backups can take longer than 10 minutes and data loss is up to the backup interval (e.g., 1 hour).
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure a cross-region replica instance using Cloud SQL’s cross-region replication feature, as this directly meets the need for cross region disaster recovery failover with minimal data loss. Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL uses either synchronous or asynchronous replication to keep the replica nearly in sync with the primary, so when a regional outage occurs, promoting the replica to primary can happen in minutes—well under the 10-minute RTO—without restoring from a backup. On the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of managed replication versus backup-based recovery; a common trap is choosing a point-in-time restore or export, which would take far longer for a 500 GB database handling 2,000 writes per second. The key insight is that cross-region replicas are continuously updated, not batch-recovered. Memory tip: “Replica, not recovery” – if the RTO is under 10 minutes, you need a live replica, not a backup restore.
Google PCA Ensure solution and operations reliability Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of ensure solution and operations reliability. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is designing a disaster recovery plan for a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance. They want to failover to a different region with minimal data loss and recovery time under 10 minutes. The database is 500 GB and experiences 2,000 write transactions per second. Which solution should they use?
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
Configure a cross-region replica instance using Cloud SQL's cross-region replication feature.
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL offers a managed cross-region replication feature that creates a replica instance in a different region, using synchronous or asynchronous replication to keep data nearly in sync. This solution meets the RPO (minimal data loss) and RTO (under 10 minutes) requirements because the replica is continuously updated and can be promoted to primary in minutes, without needing to restore from a backup or export.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Export the database daily using gsutil and import in the other region using pg_restore.
Why it's wrong here
Daily export/import leads to up to 24 hours of data loss and recovery time is high due to import time.
- ✗
Create a cross-region read replica and promote it to primary during failover.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas may have replication lag (seconds to minutes), and promotion is manual, not automatic failover.
- ✓
Configure a cross-region replica instance using Cloud SQL's cross-region replication feature.
Why this is correct
Cross-region replication provides a standby instance with synchronous replication, minimal data loss, and failover in minutes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Automated backups with point-in-time recovery to a new instance in the other region.
Why it's wrong here
Recovery from backups can take longer than 10 minutes and data loss is up to the backup interval (e.g., 1 hour).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between read replicas (which are intra-region only for Cloud SQL PostgreSQL) and cross-region replica instances (which are a separate managed feature), leading candidates to incorrectly choose option B because they assume read replicas can be cross-region.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL's cross-region replication uses PostgreSQL's streaming replication protocol over an encrypted TLS connection, with the replica in a different region receiving WAL (Write-Ahead Log) data asynchronously by default. The promotion process involves applying all received WAL segments and then making the replica writable, which typically completes in under 10 minutes for a 500 GB database if the replica has kept up with the primary. A real-world scenario where this matters is a regional outage affecting the primary zone; the cross-region replica can be promoted without needing to re-export data, ensuring business continuity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Ensure solution and operations reliability — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Ensure solution and operations reliability practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCA questions
509 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Architect study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCA practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Design and plan a cloud solution architecture practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Design and plan a cloud solution architecture.
Manage and provision cloud infrastructure practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Manage and provision cloud infrastructure.
Design for security and compliance practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Design for security and compliance.
Analyze and optimize technical and business processes practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Analyze and optimize technical and business processes.
Manage implementation of cloud architecture practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Manage implementation of cloud architecture.
Ensure solution and operations reliability practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Ensure solution and operations reliability.
PCA fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to PCA fundamentals.
PCA scenario practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to PCA scenario.
PCA troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to PCA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCA practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Ensure solution and operations reliability — This question tests Ensure solution and operations reliability — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a cross-region replica instance using Cloud SQL's cross-region replication feature. — Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL offers a managed cross-region replication feature that creates a replica instance in a different region, using synchronous or asynchronous replication to keep data nearly in sync. This solution meets the RPO (minimal data loss) and RTO (under 10 minutes) requirements because the replica is continuously updated and can be promoted to primary in minutes, without needing to restore from a backup or export.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PCA 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 PCA exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.