PCNE Configuring Network Services Practice Question
Which TWO steps are required to set up a Cloud VPN with dynamic routing (BGP)? (Choose 2.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that firewall rules are part of the VPN setup process, but they are a separate security control applied after the VPN infrastructure is created; the trap here is confusing prerequisite security policies with the actual configuration steps for the VPN gateway, tunnel, and BGP routing.
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
✓
Create a VPN gateway and a VPN tunnel.
A Cloud VPN requires both a VPN gateway (the GCP-side endpoint for encrypted traffic) and a VPN tunnel (the actual IPSec tunnel configuration that defines the remote peer IP, shared secret, and IKE parameters). Option E is correct because dynamic routing with BGP mandates a Cloud Router in the same region as the VPN gateway to exchange BGP routes with the on-premises router; the Cloud Router advertises the VPC subnets and learns remote prefixes via BGP sessions over the tunnel.
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 a static route for the remote network.
Why it's wrong here
With dynamic routing, BGP exchanges routes; static routes are not needed.
- ✗
Create a Cloud NAT for outbound access.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT is not required for site-to-site VPN.
- ✓
Create a VPN gateway and a VPN tunnel.
Why this is correct
The VPN gateway terminates the tunnel.
- ✗
Create firewall rules to allow traffic from the remote network.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules are needed for traffic, but not a step in setting up the VPN itself.
- ✓
Create a Cloud Router in the same region as the VPN gateway.
Why this is correct
The Cloud Router manages BGP sessions.
Visual reference
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
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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.