- A
Create a VPC-native cluster with private nodes and configure Private Service Access for Cloud SQL.
This configuration enables direct private communication between GKE nodes and Cloud SQL over the internal VPC network.
- B
Create a cluster with public nodes and set up a Cloud VPN tunnel to Cloud SQL.
Why wrong: Cloud VPN is an unnecessary additional service; Cloud SQL private IP can be reached directly from the VPC.
- C
Create a VPC-native cluster with public nodes and whitelist the node IPs in Cloud SQL authorized networks.
Why wrong: Using public IPs incurs egress costs and exposes the nodes to the internet.
- D
Create a cluster with public nodes and use Cloud NAT for outbound traffic.
Why wrong: Cloud NAT only provides outbound connectivity to the internet, not to a private IP Cloud SQL instance.
Google ACE Setting up a cloud solution environment Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of setting up a cloud solution environment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company is deploying a GKE cluster in a new VPC. The cluster nodes need to communicate with a Cloud SQL instance that has a private IP address. The company wants to minimize data transfer costs and avoid using public IPs. What is the most cost-effective configuration?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 VPC-native cluster with private nodes and configure Private Service Access for Cloud SQL.
Option B is correct because a VPC-native cluster with private node communication and a Private Service Access connection allows GKE nodes to reach Cloud SQL over the internal network without incurring egress costs or using public IPs. Option A is wrong because using Cloud NAT would not enable connectivity to Cloud SQL's private IP. Option C is wrong because a cluster with public nodes would incur egress costs and security risks. Option D is wrong because Cloud VPN is unnecessary and adds cost.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a VPC-native cluster with private nodes and configure Private Service Access for Cloud SQL.
Why this is correct
This configuration enables direct private communication between GKE nodes and Cloud SQL over the internal VPC network.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Create a cluster with public nodes and set up a Cloud VPN tunnel to Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud VPN is an unnecessary additional service; Cloud SQL private IP can be reached directly from the VPC.
- ✗
Create a VPC-native cluster with public nodes and whitelist the node IPs in Cloud SQL authorized networks.
Why it's wrong here
Using public IPs incurs egress costs and exposes the nodes to the internet.
- ✗
Create a cluster with public nodes and use Cloud NAT for outbound traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT only provides outbound connectivity to the internet, not to a private IP Cloud SQL instance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related ACE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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Setting up a cloud solution environment — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Setting up a cloud solution environment — This question tests Setting up a cloud solution environment — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a VPC-native cluster with private nodes and configure Private Service Access for Cloud SQL. — Option B is correct because a VPC-native cluster with private node communication and a Private Service Access connection allows GKE nodes to reach Cloud SQL over the internal network without incurring egress costs or using public IPs. Option A is wrong because using Cloud NAT would not enable connectivity to Cloud SQL's private IP. Option C is wrong because a cluster with public nodes would incur egress costs and security risks. Option D is wrong because Cloud VPN is unnecessary and adds cost.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related ACE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 23, 2026
This ACE 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 ACE exam.
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