PCDE Practice Question: Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies

A company uses Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL and wants to create a cross-region read replica for disaster recovery (DR) purposes. They also want the option to promote the replica to a standalone instance in the event of a regional outage. What should the engineer do?

⚠ Common exam trap

Google often tests the distinction between read replicas (which can be promoted for DR) and backups (which require manual restore), leading candidates to mistakenly choose backup-based options like D or export/import like A.

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 cross-region read replica and use gcloud sql instances promote-replica to promote it during DR.

Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL supports cross-region read replicas, which can be promoted to standalone instances using the `gcloud sql instances promote-replica` command. This provides a managed DR solution with minimal data loss (asynchronous replication) and faster failover compared to export/import or backup restore methods.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
Export the database as a SQL file and import it into a new instance in the target region during DR.
Why it's wrong here
This is a manual and slow process, not suitable for DR with low RTO.
✓
Create a cross-region read replica and use gcloud sql instances promote-replica to promote it during DR.
Why this is correct
This is the correct approach. Cross-region replica provides DR, and promotion makes it a standalone instance.
✗
Create a same-region read replica and enable point-in-time recovery on it.
Why it's wrong here
Same-region replica does not survive a regional outage. PITR on the replica is not relevant.
✗
Configure cross-region backup replicas and restore from backup in the target region.
Why it's wrong here
Backup replicas are not a concept in Cloud SQL. Cross-region replicas are read replicas.

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Same concept, more angles

2 more ways this is tested on PCDE

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A company is running a Cloud SQL for MySQL instance and needs to create a read replica in a different region for disaster recovery. They also want to be able to promote the replica to a standalone instance if needed. Which three steps should they take? (Choose THREE.)

medium

✓ A.Enable binary logging on the primary instance
B.Set the replica's database flags to enable read-only mode
✓ C.Use gcloud sql instances create <replica-name> --master-instance-name <primary> --region <target-region>
✓ D.Run gcloud sql instances promote-replica <replica-name> to promote it
E.Create the replica in the same region as the primary

Why A: Cross-region replicas are created using the gcloud command with the --region flag and the --master-instance-name pointing to the primary. After creation, replication must be verified. If needed, the replica can be promoted using gcloud sql instances promote-replica.

Variation 2. A company runs a critical e-commerce platform on Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL with cross-region read replicas for DR. During a recent disaster drill, they promoted the read replica to a standalone instance. After the drill, they attempted to re-create the replica but found that point-in-time recovery (PITR) was not enabled on the promoted instance. What is the most likely cause?

hard

A.The backup retention policy on the original instance limited the PITR window
B.The cross-region replica connectivity was lost during promotion
✓ C.Automated backups and PITR are not enabled by default on the promoted instance
D.The promoted instance does not support PITR because it was originally a read replica

Why C: When a Cloud SQL read replica is promoted, it becomes a standalone primary instance. By default, automated backups and PITR are not enabled on the promoted instance. The original instance's configuration (including PITR) is not carried over. The user must manually enable these settings after promotion.

Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026

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