- A
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a
Correct. The image-family 'debian-11' and image-project 'debian-cloud' are correct. Machine type, disk size, subnet, and zone are all specified correctly.
- B
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet
Why wrong: Missing the required --zone flag. Zone is required.
- C
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=custom-4-16384 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a
Why wrong: The custom machine type requires specific CPU and memory; 'custom-4-16384' is a valid custom type (4 vCPU, 16GB) but the question does not specify custom machine type, and the standard n1-standard-4 is simpler and more cost-effective for this requirement.
- D
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a
Why wrong: The image project for Debian is 'debian-cloud', not 'debian'. Also boot-disk-size should be '50GB' but GCP accepts it; however the project is wrong.
Google ACE Deploying and Implementing a Cloud Solution Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of deploying and implementing a cloud solution. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 needs to create a Compute Engine VM instance with the following specifications: 4 vCPUs, 16 GB memory, running the latest Debian 11 image, a 50 GB boot disk, and attached to a specific subnet. Which command should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a
The required flags are: --machine-type (or --custom-cpu/--custom-memory), --image-family and --image-project for the image, --boot-disk-size, --subnet, and --zone. The correct command includes all these. Option D is correct. Option A misspells 'debian' and uses wrong project. Option B uses 'debian-11' image-family but the correct family is 'debian-11' and project is 'debian-cloud'? Actually 'debian-11' image-family exists, but the project is 'debian-cloud' not 'debian'. Option C uses wrong machine-type format (custom should be 'custom-4-16384' or 'n1-standard-4' etc). The question expects standard machine type n1-standard-4.
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.
- ✓
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a
Why this is correct
Correct. The image-family 'debian-11' and image-project 'debian-cloud' are correct. Machine type, disk size, subnet, and zone are all specified correctly.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet
Why it's wrong here
Missing the required --zone flag. Zone is required.
- ✗
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=custom-4-16384 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a
Why it's wrong here
The custom machine type requires specific CPU and memory; 'custom-4-16384' is a valid custom type (4 vCPU, 16GB) but the question does not specify custom machine type, and the standard n1-standard-4 is simpler and more cost-effective for this requirement.
- ✗
gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a
Why it's wrong here
The image project for Debian is 'debian-cloud', not 'debian'. Also boot-disk-size should be '50GB' but GCP accepts it; however the project is wrong.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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?
Deploying and Implementing a Cloud Solution — This question tests Deploying and Implementing a Cloud Solution — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: gcloud compute instances create my-vm --machine-type=n1-standard-4 --image-family=debian-11 --image-project=debian-cloud --boot-disk-size=50GB --subnet=my-subnet --zone=us-central1-a — The required flags are: --machine-type (or --custom-cpu/--custom-memory), --image-family and --image-project for the image, --boot-disk-size, --subnet, and --zone. The correct command includes all these. Option D is correct. Option A misspells 'debian' and uses wrong project. Option B uses 'debian-11' image-family but the correct family is 'debian-11' and project is 'debian-cloud'? Actually 'debian-11' image-family exists, but the project is 'debian-cloud' not 'debian'. Option C uses wrong machine-type format (custom should be 'custom-4-16384' or 'n1-standard-4' etc). The question expects standard machine type n1-standard-4.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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