- A
Create a Cloud NAT gateway using a Cloud Router
Correct: Cloud NAT provides outbound internet access for private instances.
- B
Disable Private Google Access and assign external IPs to the instances
Why wrong: Assigning external IPs increases attack surface and cost; Cloud NAT is preferred.
- C
Add a NAT instance (a Compute Engine VM configured as a NAT gateway)
Why wrong: This is more costly and requires manual management; Cloud NAT is serverless.
- D
Create a Cloud VPN tunnel to a third-party NAT service
Why wrong: Overly complex and unnecessary.
Question 933 of 1,000
Google ACE Configuring Access and Security Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access and security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An engineer created a VPC with a subnet in us-central1 and enabled Private Google Access on that subnet. Compute Engine instances in that subnet can reach Google APIs and services using internal IPs. However, the instances cannot reach external IP addresses on the internet. What should the engineer configure to allow internet access while minimizing cost and management overhead?
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 Cloud NAT gateway using a Cloud Router
Since the instances need to access the internet (not just Google APIs), a Cloud NAT is the appropriate solution. It allows outbound internet traffic from private instances without assigning external IPs. Private Google Access only covers Google APIs. A NAT gateway instance would be more expensive and require management. A VPN is unnecessary.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 Cloud NAT gateway using a Cloud Router
- ✗
Disable Private Google Access and assign external IPs to the instances
- ✗
Add a NAT instance (a Compute Engine VM configured as a NAT gateway)
Why it's wrong here
This is more costly and requires manual management; Cloud NAT is serverless.
- ✗
Create a Cloud VPN tunnel to a third-party NAT service
Why it's wrong here
Overly complex and unnecessary.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ACE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Configuring Access and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Configuring Access and Security — This question tests Configuring Access and Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Cloud NAT gateway using a Cloud Router — Since the instances need to access the internet (not just Google APIs), a Cloud NAT is the appropriate solution. It allows outbound internet traffic from private instances without assigning external IPs. Private Google Access only covers Google APIs. A NAT gateway instance would be more expensive and require management. A VPN is unnecessary.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ACE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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