PCNE Implementing VPC Instances Practice Question
An engineer is configuring a Compute Engine instance with multiple network interfaces for use as a network appliance. Which interface is considered the primary interface for default routes and instance metadata?
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
✓
NIC0
NIC0 is the primary interface; default routes and instance metadata are tied to it. Adding extra interfaces (NIC1, NIC2, etc.) is for specific networking scenarios like network appliances.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Any interface with an external IP
Why it's wrong here
The primary interface is determined by index, not by external IP assignment.
- ✗
The interface with the lowest subnet CIDR
Why it's wrong here
The primary interface is always NIC0.
- ✗
The interface attached to the default VPC
Why it's wrong here
Not necessarily; the primary interface is always NIC0 regardless of VPC.
- ✓
NIC0
Why this is correct
Correct. NIC0 is the primary interface.
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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.