- A
Assign external IPs to each VM and disable Cloud NAT
Why wrong: This would give each VM its own external IP, defeating the purpose of a single predictable IP.
- B
Use dynamic NAT IP addresses assigned automatically by Cloud NAT
Why wrong: Dynamic IPs can change over time, which is not predictable.
- C
Enable Cloud NAT logging to monitor traffic
Logging helps audit that traffic is using the intended IPs, but does not guarantee predictability; however, it is often required for compliance.
- D
Reserve and assign static external IP addresses to the Cloud NAT gateway
Static IPs are predictable and can be whitelisted.
- E
Use Private Google Access instead of Cloud NAT
Why wrong: Private Google Access does not provide internet access; it only works for Google APIs.
Question 414 of 1,000
PCNE Cloud NAT Static IP Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of implementing vpc instances. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: cloud NAT Static IP. 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 company uses Cloud NAT for outbound internet access. They want to ensure that all connections from their VMs use a predictable public IP address for whitelisting with third-party services. Which TWO configurations should be applied? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Enable Cloud NAT logging to monitor traffic
To ensure that all connections from VMs use a predictable public IP address for whitelisting, you must reserve and assign static external IP addresses to the Cloud NAT gateway (option D). Additionally, enabling Cloud NAT logging (option C) is not directly about predictability, but it is a recommended configuration to monitor NAT traffic, verify that traffic is using the expected static IPs, and troubleshoot any whitelisting issues. Therefore, both configurations together ensure predictability and allow monitoring of the NAT activity.
Key principle: Cloud NAT Static IP
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Assign external IPs to each VM and disable Cloud NAT
Why it's wrong here
This would give each VM its own external IP, defeating the purpose of a single predictable IP.
- ✗
Use dynamic NAT IP addresses assigned automatically by Cloud NAT
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic IPs can change over time, which is not predictable.
- ✓
Enable Cloud NAT logging to monitor traffic
- ✓
Reserve and assign static external IP addresses to the Cloud NAT gateway
- ✗
Use Private Google Access instead of Cloud NAT
Why it's wrong here
Private Google Access does not provide internet access; it only works for Google APIs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Cloud NAT Static IP
- Cloud NAT Logging
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
Cloud NAT Static IP
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cloud NAT Static IP, then practise related PCNE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNE question test?
Implementing VPC Instances — This question tests Implementing VPC Instances — Cloud NAT Static IP.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Cloud NAT logging to monitor traffic — To ensure that all connections from VMs use a predictable public IP address for whitelisting, you must reserve and assign static external IP addresses to the Cloud NAT gateway (option D). Additionally, enabling Cloud NAT logging (option C) is not directly about predictability, but it is a recommended configuration to monitor NAT traffic, verify that traffic is using the expected static IPs, and troubleshoot any whitelisting issues. Therefore, both configurations together ensure predictability and allow monitoring of the NAT activity.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review cloud NAT Static IP, then practise related PCNE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Cloud NAT Static IP
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCNE 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 PCNE exam.
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