- A
Cloud SQL instance does not have a public IP address.
Why wrong: Public IP is not required when using VPC connector with private IP.
- B
The VPC connector is not configured to route to the Cloud SQL private IP range.
The VPC connector must have appropriate routes to the Cloud SQL private IP range.
- C
The application is not using the Cloud SQL Auth Proxy.
Why wrong: Auth proxy is optional if connecting via private IP.
- D
The VPC firewall rules block traffic to Cloud SQL.
Why wrong: Firewall rules would typically allow traffic if routes are correct.
Question 774 of 999
PCD Deploying applications Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of deploying applications. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 deploys a containerized web application to Cloud Run. The application needs to access a Cloud SQL instance but fails with a connection timeout. The VPC connector is configured and attached to the Cloud Run service. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
The VPC connector is not configured to route to the Cloud SQL private IP range.
The VPC connector is attached to the Cloud Run service, but for it to route traffic to the Cloud SQL private IP address, the connector must be configured with a subnet that has a route to the Cloud SQL private IP range (e.g., 10.0.0.0/8 or a specific allocated range). Without this route, packets destined for the Cloud SQL instance's private IP are dropped, causing a connection timeout. The VPC connector itself does not automatically know how to reach Cloud SQL; the subnet must be peered or have appropriate routes.
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.
- ✗
Cloud SQL instance does not have a public IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Public IP is not required when using VPC connector with private IP.
- ✓
The VPC connector is not configured to route to the Cloud SQL private IP range.
Why this is correct
The VPC connector must have appropriate routes to the Cloud SQL private IP range.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The application is not using the Cloud SQL Auth Proxy.
Why it's wrong here
Auth proxy is optional if connecting via private IP.
- ✗
The VPC firewall rules block traffic to Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules would typically allow traffic if routes are correct.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a VPC connector alone is sufficient for private IP connectivity, but they overlook the requirement for proper routing from the connector's subnet to the Cloud SQL private IP range.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Cloud Run uses Serverless VPC Access to connect to a VPC network via a connector that acts as a bridge. The connector's subnet must have a route (e.g., a static route or a VPC peering route) to the Cloud SQL private IP range (typically 10.0.0.0/8 or a specific /24). If the route is missing, the connector cannot forward packets to the Cloud SQL instance, resulting in a TCP connection timeout. In real-world scenarios, this often happens when the Cloud SQL instance is in a different project or VPC, and the connector's subnet is not peered or routed correctly.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Deploying applications — This question tests Deploying applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The VPC connector is not configured to route to the Cloud SQL private IP range. — The VPC connector is attached to the Cloud Run service, but for it to route traffic to the Cloud SQL private IP address, the connector must be configured with a subnet that has a route to the Cloud SQL private IP range (e.g., 10.0.0.0/8 or a specific allocated range). Without this route, packets destined for the Cloud SQL instance's private IP are dropped, causing a connection timeout. The VPC connector itself does not automatically know how to reach Cloud SQL; the subnet must be peered or have appropriate routes.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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