- A
Set up a read replica for switchover
Setting up a read replica allows for a near-instantaneous cutover by promoting the replica.
- B
Use pg_dump and restore
Why wrong: Using pg_dump and restore involves downtime as it is a snapshot export/import.
- C
Enable automatic backups
Why wrong: Enabling automatic backups does not reduce downtime during migration.
- D
Configure a high-availability instance
Why wrong: Configuring a high-availability instance is for post-migration availability, not a migration step.
- E
Use Database Migration Service with continuous replication
Database Migration Service with continuous replication minimizes downtime by syncing changes in real time.
Question 825 of 1,000
PCDE Plan and manage database infrastructure Practice Question
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of plan and manage database infrastructure. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 migrating an on-premises PostgreSQL database to Cloud SQL. They need to minimize downtime during migration. Which TWO steps should they take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
✓
Set up a read replica for switchover
Option A (Set up a read replica for switchover) minimizes downtime by allowing a near-instantaneous cutover: you can promote the read replica to primary with minimal interruption. Option E (Use Database Migration Service with continuous replication) synchronizes changes in real time, enabling a controlled switchover with very low downtime. Option B (pg_dump and restore) involves exporting and importing data, which requires taking the source database offline or operating in read-only mode, causing significant downtime. Option C (Enable automatic backups) is a backup strategy that does not directly address migration downtime. Option D (Configure a high-availability instance) is post-migration configuration for resilience, not a step that reduces downtime during the migration.
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.
- ✓
Set up a read replica for switchover
Why this is correct
Setting up a read replica allows for a near-instantaneous cutover by promoting the replica.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use pg_dump and restore
Why it's wrong here
Using pg_dump and restore involves downtime as it is a snapshot export/import.
- ✗
Enable automatic backups
Why it's wrong here
Enabling automatic backups does not reduce downtime during migration.
- ✗
Configure a high-availability instance
Why it's wrong here
Configuring a high-availability instance is for post-migration availability, not a migration step.
- ✓
Use Database Migration Service with continuous replication
Why this is correct
Database Migration Service with continuous replication minimizes downtime by syncing changes in real time.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCDE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Plan and manage database infrastructure — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Plan and manage database infrastructure — This question tests Plan and manage database infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up a read replica for switchover — Option A (Set up a read replica for switchover) minimizes downtime by allowing a near-instantaneous cutover: you can promote the read replica to primary with minimal interruption. Option E (Use Database Migration Service with continuous replication) synchronizes changes in real time, enabling a controlled switchover with very low downtime. Option B (pg_dump and restore) involves exporting and importing data, which requires taking the source database offline or operating in read-only mode, causing significant downtime. Option C (Enable automatic backups) is a backup strategy that does not directly address migration downtime. Option D (Configure a high-availability instance) is post-migration configuration for resilience, not a step that reduces downtime during the migration.
What should I do if I get this PCDE question wrong?
Identify which PCDE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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