- A
Private Service Connect
Why wrong: Private Service Connect allows private access to managed services, but not all Google APIs by default.
- B
VPC Service Controls
Why wrong: VPC Service Controls provide security perimeters, not connectivity to APIs.
- C
Private Google Access
Correct. Private Google Access enables instances without external IPs to reach Google APIs through internal IPs.
- D
Cloud NAT
Why wrong: Cloud NAT provides outbound internet access but not direct access to Google APIs via private IPs.
PCNE Implementing VPC Instances Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of implementing vpc instances. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 network engineer needs to ensure that Compute Engine instances without external IP addresses can access Google APIs such as BigQuery and Cloud Storage. Which feature should be enabled on the subnet where the instances reside?
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
Private Google Access
Private Google Access allows instances without external IPs to reach Google APIs using private IP addresses. It is enabled per subnet.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Private Service Connect
Why it's wrong here
Private Service Connect allows private access to managed services, but not all Google APIs by default.
- ✗
VPC Service Controls
Why it's wrong here
VPC Service Controls provide security perimeters, not connectivity to APIs.
- ✓
Private Google Access
- ✗
Cloud NAT
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Implementing VPC Instances — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNE question test?
Implementing VPC Instances — This question tests Implementing VPC Instances — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Private Google Access — Private Google Access allows instances without external IPs to reach Google APIs using private IP addresses. It is enabled per subnet.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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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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