Question 917 of 1,446
Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCDE Practice Question: Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud
An organization uses Cloud SQL for MySQL and needs to perform disaster recovery testing by failing over to a cross-region read replica without impacting the primary instance. They want to validate the promotion process and measure the actual RTO. Which approach should be used?
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
✓
Promote a cross-region read replica in an isolated project or non-production environment
The safest way to test DR without impacting the primary is to promote a cross-region read replica in a non-production environment or an isolated project. The promotion is manual and can be tested by simulating a failover scenario. Alternatively, you can clone the replica to a separate instance for testing, but the most direct test is promoting a replica that is not serving production traffic.
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 clone of the primary instance in the target region and test failover
Why it's wrong here
A clone does not replicate ongoing changes; it's a snapshot. Testing failover with a read replica requires actual replication lag.
- ✗
Use Cloud SQL’s switchover feature for HA instances
Why it's wrong here
Switchover is for HA within the same region, not cross-region read replicas.
- ✓
Promote a cross-region read replica in an isolated project or non-production environment
Why this is correct
Promoting a replica that is not serving production traffic allows safe DR testing while measuring RPO (replication lag) and RTO (promotion time).
- ✗
Run a gcloud command to promote the existing read replica in the production project
Why it's wrong here
This would impact the production replica and potentially cause data loss if the primary is still active.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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