Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies →mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
PCDE Practice Question: Manage a solution that can span multiple database technologies
A company uses Memorystore for Redis and wants to achieve high availability with automatic failover. They also need to periodically back up the data to Cloud Storage for disaster recovery. Which TWO features should they use? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The Google Cloud exam often tests the distinction between high-availability features (replication/failover) and durability/backup features (export to Cloud Storage), tricking candidates into selecting AOF persistence or Redis Cluster as solutions for disaster recovery.
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
✓
Standard Tier (replication)
Standard Tier (replication) provides a primary-replica architecture with automatic failover, ensuring high availability. The Export functionality allows you to manually or scheduled export Redis data to Cloud Storage, enabling point-in-time recovery for disaster recovery purposes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Standard Tier (replication)
Why this is correct
Standard Tier provides a replica in a different zone for automatic failover.
- ✓
Export functionality to Cloud Storage
Why this is correct
Export creates a snapshot that can be stored in Cloud Storage for DR.
- ✗
Redis Cluster
Why it's wrong here
Redis Cluster provides horizontal scaling, not necessarily automatic failover with backup to Cloud Storage.
- ✗
AOF persistence
Why it's wrong here
AOF is not supported in Memorystore; it is a Redis feature but not available.
- ✗
Basic Tier
Why it's wrong here
Basic Tier is a single node without replicas, so no automatic failover.
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Same concept, more angles
3 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 small business runs a MySQL OLTP database for their inventory management system. They need high availability with automatic failover and regional disaster recovery. Which Google Cloud database service meets these requirements with minimal operational overhead?
easy- A.Cloud Spanner
- B.Cloud Bigtable
- ✓ C.Cloud SQL with HA and cross-region read replicas
- D.Compute Engine with self-managed MySQL
Why C: Cloud SQL for MySQL with high availability (HA) configuration provides automatic failover within a region and can be configured with cross-region replicas for disaster recovery.
Variation 2. A company uses AlloyDB for PostgreSQL for their operational database. They want to ensure automatic failover with the shortest possible RTO. Which configuration should they use?
medium- A.Deploy a single-zone AlloyDB cluster with a read pool
- B.Configure a cross-region read replica and set up automated promotion scripts
- C.Use an AlloyDB basic (single-node) instance
- ✓ D.Deploy a multi-zone AlloyDB cluster with automatic failover enabled
Why D: AlloyDB provides automatic failover with RTO under 60 seconds. Cross-zone failover in a multi-zone cluster provides the best availability within a region. Cross-region replication is not automatic and requires manual promotion. Basic instances offer no HA. Read pool failover is not automatic.
Variation 3. A company wants to implement a disaster recovery plan for their AlloyDB database. They need automatic failover with minimal data loss and RTO under 30 seconds. Which configuration should they use?
easy- A.Configure a cross-region read replica and promote it manually during a disaster.
- ✓ B.Enable high availability (HA) on the AlloyDB cluster, which provisions a standby in a different zone.
- C.Deploy AlloyDB in a single zone without HA.
- D.Use AlloyDB with multiple read pools and a custom failover script.
Why B: AlloyDB provides automatic failover within 30 seconds when you enable high availability (primary + standby). This is zone-redundant within the same region.
JA
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.