PCDE Practice Question: Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud
A company runs a critical application on AlloyDB in a single zone. They want to improve resiliency with an RTO under 30 seconds and RPO near zero. Which THREE steps should they take? (Choose 3)
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
✓
Configure application connection retry logic to handle failover interruptions.
To achieve RTO<30s and RPO near zero, you need to enable AlloyDB HA (primary + standby in different zone), ensure the application retries connections during failover, and regularly test failover to validate RTO.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the number of CPU cores in the primary instance.
Why it's wrong here
More CPU does not improve disaster recovery metrics.
- ✓
Configure application connection retry logic to handle failover interruptions.
Why this is correct
Retry logic ensures application reconnects to the new primary after failover.
- ✗
Configure a cross-region read replica in a different region.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replication is asynchronous, RPO not near zero, and failover manual (takes minutes).
- ✓
Perform regular failover drills to ensure RTO targets are met.
Why this is correct
Regular drills validate the failover process and help meet RTO.
- ✓
Enable high availability (HA) on the AlloyDB cluster.
Why this is correct
HA provisions a standby in a different zone and enables automatic failover within 30 seconds.
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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.