PCDE Practice Question: Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies
A Cloud SQL for MySQL instance is running low on disk space. You need to increase the storage without downtime. What is the correct approach?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume that any disk resize requires stopping the instance (as with traditional on-premises or some cloud VMs), but Cloud SQL's managed service allows online resizing without downtime, which is a key differentiator tested in the PCDOE exam.
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 the gcloud command to resize the storage; the operation is performed online.
Cloud SQL for MySQL supports online storage resizing using the `gcloud sql instances patch` command or the Google Cloud Console, which allows you to increase the storage capacity without any downtime. The operation is performed while the instance remains available, and the underlying persistent disk is resized live, leveraging Google Cloud's live resize capability for Cloud SQL instances.
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 new instance with larger storage and migrate the data using mysqldump.
Why it's wrong here
This causes downtime and is unnecessary.
- ✗
Enable automatic storage increase; resize manually is not possible.
Why it's wrong here
Both auto-increase and manual resize are possible.
- ✗
Stop the instance, resize the attached persistent disk, then restart.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL manages storage internally; you cannot directly modify the persistent disk.
- ✓
Use the gcloud command to resize the storage; the operation is performed online.
Why this is correct
Correct. gcloud sql instances patch --storage-size NEW_SIZE resizes online.
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This PCDE 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 PCDE exam.