PCNE Cloud NAT Static IP Practice Question
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
✓
Reserve and assign static external IP addresses to the Cloud NAT gateway
To ensure a predictable public IP address for whitelisting, you must manually reserve static external IP addresses and assign them to the Cloud NAT gateway. This guarantees that all outbound traffic uses those specific IPs. Option C (logging) does not affect the IP address used; it only provides visibility, so it does not help ensure predictability. Therefore, the correct answer is D only.
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
Why it's wrong here
Logging helps audit that traffic is using the intended IPs, but does not guarantee predictability; however, it is often required for compliance.
- ✓
Reserve and assign static external IP addresses to the Cloud NAT gateway
Why this is correct
Static IPs are predictable and can be whitelisted.
- ✗
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.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.