- A
Create a Cloud Load Balancer with the bucket as backend and update DNS.
A Cloud Load Balancer provides SSL termination and a static IP for custom domains.
- B
Add a DNS A record pointing to the load balancer IP instead of a CNAME.
Why wrong: There is no load balancer yet; simply changing DNS record type does not create one.
- C
Enable Cloud CDN on the bucket.
Why wrong: Cloud CDN does not provide custom domain HTTPS; it only accelerates content delivery.
- D
Set the bucket's default object ACL to public read.
Why wrong: Public ACLs allow access but do not enable HTTPS for a custom domain.
Question 617 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 is deploying a static website on Cloud Storage with a custom domain. They want to serve the website over HTTPS. They have created a bucket with the same name as the domain and uploaded the files. They have verified the domain ownership in Search Console and added the bucket as a CNAME record in their DNS. Users report that when they navigate to the domain, they get a 404 error. The company has verified that the bucket's main page suffix is set to index.html. The team is confident the files are uploaded correctly. They need to resolve the 404 error and serve the site over HTTPS. What should they do?
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
✓
Create a Cloud Load Balancer with the bucket as backend and update DNS.
Option A is correct. To serve a static website hosted on Cloud Storage with a custom domain over HTTPS, you must configure an external HTTP(S) load balancer with the bucket as the backend. The load balancer handles SSL termination and provides a static IP address or hostname. You then update your DNS to point the custom domain to the load balancer's IP (using an A record) or to the load balancer's hostname. Option B is incorrect because a DNS A record pointing directly to a load balancer IP still requires the load balancer; the CNAME is not the issue. Option C is incorrect because Cloud CDN alone does not enable HTTPS for a custom domain; it requires a load balancer or other origin. Option D is incorrect because making objects publicly readable does not provide HTTPS support; the bucket's static website feature only supports HTTP.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a Cloud Load Balancer with the bucket as backend and update DNS.
Why this is correct
A Cloud Load Balancer provides SSL termination and a static IP for custom domains.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Add a DNS A record pointing to the load balancer IP instead of a CNAME.
Why it's wrong here
There is no load balancer yet; simply changing DNS record type does not create one.
- ✗
Enable Cloud CDN on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud CDN does not provide custom domain HTTPS; it only accelerates content delivery.
- ✗
Set the bucket's default object ACL to public read.
Why it's wrong here
Public ACLs allow access but do not enable HTTPS for a custom domain.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Common DNS Record Types
| Record | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address mapping | example.com → 93.184.216.34 |
| AAAA | IPv6 address mapping | example.com → 2606:2800::1 |
| CNAME | Alias to another hostname | www → example.com |
| MX | Mail server for domain | example.com → mail.example.com (priority 10) |
| TXT | Text data (SPF, DKIM, verification) | v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all |
| NS | Authoritative name servers | example.com NS ns1.example.com |
| PTR | Reverse DNS (IP → hostname) | 34.216.184.93.in-addr.arpa → example.com |
| SOA | Zone authority record | Primary NS, admin email, serial, TTL defaults |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCD ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Deploying applications — This question tests Deploying applications — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Cloud Load Balancer with the bucket as backend and update DNS. — Option A is correct. To serve a static website hosted on Cloud Storage with a custom domain over HTTPS, you must configure an external HTTP(S) load balancer with the bucket as the backend. The load balancer handles SSL termination and provides a static IP address or hostname. You then update your DNS to point the custom domain to the load balancer's IP (using an A record) or to the load balancer's hostname. Option B is incorrect because a DNS A record pointing directly to a load balancer IP still requires the load balancer; the CNAME is not the issue. Option C is incorrect because Cloud CDN alone does not enable HTTPS for a custom domain; it requires a load balancer or other origin. Option D is incorrect because making objects publicly readable does not provide HTTPS support; the bucket's static website feature only supports HTTP.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCD ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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