PCDE Practice Question: Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud
An organization requires a disaster recovery solution for Cloud SQL with a target RPO of less than 5 minutes and RTO of less than 2 hours. The primary region is us-central1, and the DR region is us-west1. Which approach should they use?
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 promote it during disaster
Cross-region read replicas provide an RPO equal to replication lag (typically <5s) and RTO of minutes (manual promotion). This meets the requirements. Cross-region backup restore would have an RPO equal to the last backup age (hours) and RTO of hours. HA failover is for same-region only. PITR alone does not provide cross-region DR.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a cross-region read replica and promote it during disaster
Why this is correct
Cross-region read replicas have minimal replication lag, providing low RPO and RTO within minutes after promotion.
- ✗
Use point-in-time recovery with daily backups and restore into a new instance
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region backup restore provides RPO of hours (backup age) and RTO of hours, insufficient for a 5-minute RPO target.
- ✗
Configure a scheduled export of the database to Cloud Storage and import in DR region
Why it's wrong here
Exports are point-in-time and have high RPO (frequency) and RTO (time to import). Not suitable for low RPO/RTO.
- ✗
Enable HA configuration in a single region
Why it's wrong here
HA failover is automatic but only works within the same region; does not protect against regional failure.
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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.