Google PCA Manage implementation of cloud architecture Practice Question
A company runs a stateful application on a single Compute Engine instance with a persistent disk. They need to ensure that the application can recover quickly in case of a zone failure. The recovery point objective (RPO) is 5 minutes, and the recovery time objective (RTO) is 15 minutes. Which approach should they take?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that frequent snapshots can meet a 5-minute RPO, but snapshot frequency is limited and restore times may exceed the RTO.
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 a regional persistent disk with the instance, and configure the application to failover to a standby instance in another zone using a startup script that attaches the disk.
A regional persistent disk synchronously replicates data across two zones, ensuring an RPO of zero. By automating failover to a standby instance in the other zone, you can achieve the 15-minute RTO. This is the most suitable solution for a stateful application requiring zone failure recovery. The other options either do not meet the RPO/RTO or require significant application changes.
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 a regional persistent disk with the instance, and configure the application to failover to a standby instance in another zone using a startup script that attaches the disk.
Why this is correct
A regional persistent disk replicates data synchronously across two zones, providing an RPO of near zero. In case of zone failure, you can attach the disk to a standby instance in the other zone. With automation, failover can be achieved within the 15-minute RTO. This meets both RPO and RTO requirements.
- ✗
Create a snapshot schedule for the persistent disk every 5 minutes, and in case of failure, create a new instance from the latest snapshot in another zone.
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots are incremental and can be taken as frequently as every hour, but 5-minute snapshots may not be supported. Even if possible, creating a new instance from a snapshot takes time, potentially exceeding the 15-minute RTO. Also, snapshots are stored in Cloud Storage and restoring can take longer than 15 minutes for large disks.
- ✗
Set up a Cloud SQL instance with high availability, and migrate the application to use Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL is a managed database service and may not support the application's specific stateful requirements if it relies on a file system or custom database. Migrating to Cloud SQL could require significant application changes and may not meet the RPO/RTO without additional configuration. It is not a direct solution for a stateful application on a Compute Engine instance.
- ✗
Use a managed instance group with autoscaling across multiple zones, and store application state on a Cloud Storage bucket mounted via Cloud Storage FUSE.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Storage FUSE is not designed for high-performance, low-latency stateful workloads and may not provide the consistency required. Autoscaling does not address state replication. This approach could lead to data corruption and does not guarantee the RPO/RTO. It also adds complexity and potential performance issues.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Virtual Machine Instances in Compute Engine
Key term
RPO
Recovery Point Objective (RPO) is the maximum acceptable amount of data loss measured in time, defining how recent data must be to resume operations after a disruption.
Key term
Regional Persistent Disk
Regional Persistent Disk is a durable, block-level storage option in Google Cloud that automatically replicates data across two zones in a region to protect against zone failures.
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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.