- A
Cloud Router
Cloud Router is required to create the NAT gateway and manage dynamic routes.
- B
Private Google Access enabled on the subnet
Why wrong: Private Google Access only allows access to Google APIs and services, not general internet.
- C
An internet gateway attached to the VPC
Why wrong: Internet gateway is used for instances with external IPs; Cloud NAT replaces the need for an internet gateway for private instances.
- D
Firewall rule allowing egress traffic to the internet
A firewall rule allowing egress traffic (e.g., to 0.0.0.0/0) is necessary to permit outbound connections.
- E
Cloud NAT
Cloud NAT enables outbound internet connectivity for instances without external IPs.
Google ACE Configuring Access and Security Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access and security. 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 organization has a VPC with several subnets. They want Compute Engine instances in one subnet to have outbound internet access for updates but not be reachable from the internet. The instances have no external IP addresses. Which THREE components must be configured?
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
Cloud Router
Cloud NAT allows outbound internet access for private instances. Cloud Router is required to manage NAT gateway routing. The internet gateway is not needed because Cloud NAT provides the translation. Private Google Access is for Google APIs, not general internet. Firewall rules for ingress from internet are unnecessary since instances have no external IPs.
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.
- ✓
Cloud Router
- ✗
Private Google Access enabled on the subnet
Why it's wrong here
Private Google Access only allows access to Google APIs and services, not general internet.
- ✗
An internet gateway attached to the VPC
- ✓
Firewall rule allowing egress traffic to the internet
- ✓
Cloud NAT
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
- →
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: Cloud Router — Cloud NAT allows outbound internet access for private instances. Cloud Router is required to manage NAT gateway routing. The internet gateway is not needed because Cloud NAT provides the translation. Private Google Access is for Google APIs, not general internet. Firewall rules for ingress from internet are unnecessary since instances have no external IPs.
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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