PCNE Configuring Network Services Practice Question
Which THREE factors should be considered when choosing between a global external HTTP(S) load balancer and a regional external HTTP(S) load balancer? (Choose 3.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that SSL termination location is the same for both load balancer types, but the key distinction is that global terminates at the edge (GFE) and regional terminates at the backend, which directly affects security and performance decisions.
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
✓
SSL termination at the edge (global) vs. at the backend (regional).
Regional external HTTP(S) load balancers terminate SSL at the backend (the backend service or instance), meaning the encrypted traffic must travel to the backend before decryption. Global external HTTP(S) load balancers terminate SSL at the edge (Google Front End), decrypting traffic at the closest point of presence and forwarding plaintext HTTP to the backend. This architectural difference impacts security, latency, and backend processing requirements, making it a key factor in choosing between the two.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Support for multiple backend types (Compute Engine, GKE, serverless).
Why it's wrong here
Both support multiple backend types.
- ✓
SSL termination at the edge (global) vs. at the backend (regional).
Why this is correct
Global terminates SSL at the edge; regional terminates at the backend.
- ✗
Ability to use health checks.
Why it's wrong here
Both support health checks.
- ✓
Integration with Cloud CDN.
Why this is correct
Cloud CDN requires a global external HTTP(S) load balancer.
- ✓
Need for a single anycast IP address worldwide.
Why this is correct
Global load balancer provides a single anycast IP; regional uses regional IP.
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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.