PCNE Configuring Network Services Practice Question
An organization is migrating a legacy application to GCP. The application requires a static internal IP address for a Compute Engine VM that must persist even if the VM is stopped or deleted. Which IP address type should they assign?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse 'ephemeral' with 'persistent' or assume that stopping a VM preserves the internal IP, but GCP releases ephemeral internal IPs on stop/delete unless explicitly reserved as a static internal IP.
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 a static internal IP address in the same region and subnetwork.
A static internal IP address is reserved within a specific region and subnetwork, ensuring the IP persists even after the VM is stopped or deleted. This meets the requirement for a fixed internal address that remains available for reassignment to the same or a different VM in the same subnet. Ephemeral IPs are released on VM stop/delete, and external IPs are not relevant for internal-only communication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure an alias IP range on the VM's network interface.
Why it's wrong here
Alias IPs are for assigning multiple IPs, not for persistence.
- ✗
Assign an ephemeral external IP and configure a firewall rule.
Why it's wrong here
Ephemeral IPs change when VM is stopped.
- ✓
Reserve a static internal IP address in the same region and subnetwork.
Why this is correct
Static internal IPs are reserved and persist until released.
- ✗
Use a regional internal IP address with auto-delete set to false.
Why it's wrong here
Regional internal IPs are ephemeral unless explicitly reserved.
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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.