Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCDE Practice Question: Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud
A company uses AlloyDB for an e-commerce platform. They want to achieve the highest availability within a single region. What configuration should they use, and what is the expected failover RTO?
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 a primary instance with a standby in a different zone in the same region; RTO less than 30 seconds
AlloyDB offers an HA configuration with a primary instance and a standby (read pool) in different zones within the same region. Automatic failover occurs in less than 30 seconds. Cross-zone failover is automatic. There is no cross-region HA in AlloyDB (you can use cross-region replicas but that requires manual promotion).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a primary instance with a standby in the same zone; RTO less than 10 seconds
Why it's wrong here
A standby in the same zone does not protect against a zone failure. AlloyDB HA requires the standby in a different zone.
- ✗
Use a primary instance with multiple read pools; RTO less than 5 seconds
Why it's wrong here
Multiple read pools do not provide automatic failover for writes; they are for read scaling.
- ✗
Use a primary instance with a cross-region read replica; RTO less than 1 minute
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replicas require manual promotion, not automatic failover in <30s.
- ✓
Use a primary instance with a standby in a different zone in the same region; RTO less than 30 seconds
Why this is correct
AlloyDB HA uses a primary and standby in different zones within the same region. Automatic failover completes in under 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.