Google PCA Manage implementation of cloud architecture Practice Question
A company is migrating an on-premises application to Google Cloud. The application consists of a web front end and a backend that uses a relational database. The company wants to minimize downtime during the migration and ensure that the database remains consistent. They plan to use a phased approach. Which TWO steps should they take to achieve a successful migration? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is focusing on post-migration scaling or high availability features instead of the core steps needed to perform the migration with minimal downtime.
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
✓
Use Database Migration Service to continuously replicate data from the on-premises database to a Cloud SQL instance, then perform a cutover.
Establishing a secure network connection and using Database Migration Service for continuous replication are critical for a low-downtime migration. The network connection enables data transfer, and Database Migration Service keeps the target in sync until cutover. These steps ensure minimal downtime and data consistency, unlike manual export/import or unrelated scaling measures.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use Database Migration Service to continuously replicate data from the on-premises database to a Cloud SQL instance, then perform a cutover.
Why this is correct
Database Migration Service supports continuous replication from various sources to Cloud SQL, allowing you to keep the target in sync with minimal downtime. After initial load, it replicates ongoing changes, and you can promote the Cloud SQL instance during a short cutover window. This directly addresses the requirement for minimal downtime and data consistency.
- ✗
Configure Cloud SQL read replicas in multiple regions to ensure high availability and offload read traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are useful for scaling reads and disaster recovery, but they do not help with migrating data from on-premises or minimizing downtime during the initial migration. They are a post-migration consideration for performance and availability, not a step to achieve the migration itself.
- ✓
Set up a Cloud VPN or Dedicated Interconnect between on-premises and Google Cloud to establish a secure network connection.
Why this is correct
A secure network connection is essential for data replication and communication between on-premises and cloud resources during migration. Cloud VPN or Dedicated Interconnect provides the necessary bandwidth and security. This step enables the use of Database Migration Service or custom replication, ensuring data consistency and minimizing downtime.
- ✗
Deploy the web front end on Compute Engine instances and use a managed instance group with autoscaling to handle traffic.
Why it's wrong here
While deploying the front end is part of the migration, it does not address the database migration or minimize downtime. The question focuses on steps for a successful migration with minimal downtime and database consistency; this option is about infrastructure scaling, which is secondary and not specific to the migration challenge.
- ✗
Export the on-premises database to a CSV file, upload it to Cloud Storage, and import it into Cloud SQL during a maintenance window.
Why it's wrong here
This approach requires significant downtime because the application must be stopped during export and import. It does not support continuous replication, so any changes made after the export are lost. It is not suitable for minimizing downtime or ensuring consistency in a phased migration.
Go deeper
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IAM Policies, Service Accounts, and Auditing
Key term
Data
Data is raw, unprocessed information, like numbers, words, or measurements, that can be stored, processed, and analyzed by computers.
Key term
Relational database
A relational database organizes data into tables with rows and columns, where each table relates to others using unique keys, allowing efficient storage, retrieval, and manipulation of structured information.
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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 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.