- A
Edit the cluster settings and change the storage type from SSD to HDD.
Why wrong: Storage type cannot be changed on an existing cluster.
- B
Delete the cluster and recreate it with HDD storage.
Why wrong: This would lose data unless backed up.
- C
Create a new Bigtable instance with HDD storage, then use a table export/import to move data.
A new cluster with HDD storage is required; data can be migrated via export/import.
- D
Use gcloud bigtable instances update to change the storage type.
Why wrong: No such command exists for storage type change.
PCDOE Manage Database Solutions Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of manage database solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A Bigtable cluster is configured with SSD storage. The team needs to reduce costs by switching to HDD storage while maintaining the same cluster ID and node count. What is the correct approach?
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 new Bigtable instance with HDD storage, then use a table export/import to move data.
Bigtable does not allow in-place modification of storage type (SSD vs. HDD) on an existing cluster. To switch storage, you must create a new instance with HDD storage and migrate data using export/import (e.g., via Cloud Storage and Dataflow). Option C correctly describes this process, preserving the cluster ID and node count by recreating the instance with the same configuration but HDD storage.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Edit the cluster settings and change the storage type from SSD to HDD.
Why it's wrong here
Storage type cannot be changed on an existing cluster.
- ✗
Delete the cluster and recreate it with HDD storage.
Why it's wrong here
This would lose data unless backed up.
- ✓
Create a new Bigtable instance with HDD storage, then use a table export/import to move data.
Why this is correct
A new cluster with HDD storage is required; data can be migrated via export/import.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use gcloud bigtable instances update to change the storage type.
Why it's wrong here
No such command exists for storage type change.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google often tests the immutability of Bigtable storage type and the misconception that you can simply update it via the console or CLI, leading candidates to choose options A or D.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
No such command exists for storage type change.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Bigtable storage types (SSD vs. HDD) are set at instance creation and are immutable because they determine the underlying storage architecture and performance characteristics. Export/import uses Cloud Storage as an intermediary, often leveraging Dataflow for efficient parallel processing; the cluster ID can be reused by specifying the same ID when creating the new HDD instance. In real-world scenarios, this migration can cause temporary downtime or increased latency during the export/import window, so teams often schedule it during maintenance periods.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Manage Database Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Manage Database Solutions — This question tests Manage Database Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a new Bigtable instance with HDD storage, then use a table export/import to move data. — Bigtable does not allow in-place modification of storage type (SSD vs. HDD) on an existing cluster. To switch storage, you must create a new instance with HDD storage and migrate data using export/import (e.g., via Cloud Storage and Dataflow). Option C correctly describes this process, preserving the cluster ID and node count by recreating the instance with the same configuration but HDD storage.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDOE 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 PCDOE exam.
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