Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCDE Practice Question: Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies
A company runs a Cloud Bigtable instance with SSD storage and wants to switch to HDD storage to reduce costs. The instance cannot tolerate downtime for data migration. What is the correct approach?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume a simple update command or replica promotion can change storage type, but Cloud Bigtable does not allow in-place storage type changes or replication across different storage types, forcing a new cluster creation with data migration.
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 new Cloud Bigtable cluster with HDD storage and migrate data
Cloud Bigtable does not support in-place conversion of storage type from SSD to HDD. The only way to switch storage without downtime is to create a new cluster with HDD storage, then use a replicated setup (e.g., via a replication cluster or application-level dual-write) to migrate data while the original cluster remains operational. This ensures zero downtime during the migration.
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 Cloud Bigtable cluster with HDD storage and migrate data
Why this is correct
To change storage type, you must create a new cluster with the desired type and migrate the data.
- ✗
Increase the number of nodes to reduce per-node cost
Why it's wrong here
Node count does not change storage type; HDD and SSD are separate cluster types.
- ✗
Add a cross-region replica and then promote it with HDD storage
Why it's wrong here
Replicas inherit the storage type of the primary cluster.
- ✗
Use the gcloud bigtable clusters update command to change storage type
Why it's wrong here
gcloud does not support changing storage type on an existing cluster.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.