- A
Place web servers in a subnet with Cloud NAT, and database servers in the same subnet without public IP
Why wrong: Both tiers would share the same subnet, which may not be best practice, and the database tier still needs outbound via Cloud NAT, but this works but less secure.
- B
Place web servers in a subnet with public IPs, and database servers in a separate subnet with Cloud NAT and no public IP
This separates tiers, provides outbound for database via Cloud NAT, and keeps database private.
- C
Place both tiers in the same subnet with no public IPs and use Cloud NAT for all outbound traffic
Why wrong: Web servers typically need direct internet access from users, not just outbound; Cloud NAT is for outbound only.
- D
Place web servers in a subnet with Cloud NAT, and database servers in a subnet with public IPs and firewall rules to restrict inbound
Why wrong: Database servers should not have public IPs for security.
Google ACE Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of planning and configuring a cloud solution. 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.
An engineer is designing a VPC for a multi-tier application. The application has web servers that need direct internet access, and a private database tier that must not have public IP addresses. The database tier needs outbound internet access to download updates. Which network configuration should the engineer implement?
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
Place web servers in a subnet with public IPs, and database servers in a separate subnet with Cloud NAT and no public IP
Web servers should be in a subnet with public IPs or a Cloud NAT for outbound. The database tier must be in a private subnet without public IP, but needs outbound internet via Cloud NAT. This allows secure outbound without public exposure.
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.
- ✗
Place web servers in a subnet with Cloud NAT, and database servers in the same subnet without public IP
Why it's wrong here
Both tiers would share the same subnet, which may not be best practice, and the database tier still needs outbound via Cloud NAT, but this works but less secure.
- ✓
Place web servers in a subnet with public IPs, and database servers in a separate subnet with Cloud NAT and no public IP
- ✗
Place both tiers in the same subnet with no public IPs and use Cloud NAT for all outbound traffic
Why it's wrong here
Web servers typically need direct internet access from users, not just outbound; Cloud NAT is for outbound only.
- ✗
Place web servers in a subnet with Cloud NAT, and database servers in a subnet with public IPs and firewall rules to restrict inbound
Why it's wrong here
Database servers should not have public IPs for security.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution — This question tests Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place web servers in a subnet with public IPs, and database servers in a separate subnet with Cloud NAT and no public IP — Web servers should be in a subnet with public IPs or a Cloud NAT for outbound. The database tier must be in a private subnet without public IP, but needs outbound internet via Cloud NAT. This allows secure outbound without public exposure.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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