PCDE Practice Question: Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud
A financial application requires zero data loss (RPO=0) and automatic failover within 60 seconds in the event of a zone failure. The database must support ACID transactions. Which Google Cloud service meets these requirements?
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
✓
Cloud SQL with HA configuration
Cloud SQL with HA configuration uses synchronous replication to a standby instance in a different zone. If the primary zone fails, Cloud SQL automatically fails over to the standby. Because replication is synchronous, RPO is effectively zero. Automatic failover typically completes within 60 seconds.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cloud SQL with HA configuration
Why this is correct
Cloud SQL HA provides automatic zone failover with synchronous replication, offering RPO ~0 and RTO < 60 seconds.
- ✗
Cloud SQL cross-region read replica
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region read replicas require manual promotion and replication lag determines RPO. Automatic failover is not available.
- ✗
Cloud SQL single-zone instance with automatic backups
Why it's wrong here
Single-zone instances do not automatically fail over. Backups only provide RPO measured in hours.
- ✗
Cloud Bigtable multi-cluster replication
Why it's wrong here
Bigtable replication is asynchronous and does not support ACID transactions.
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