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 organization needs to deploy a batch job that runs every hour on Compute Engine. The job requires a VM with 16 vCPUs and 64 GB of memory. The job takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The team wants to minimize costs while ensuring the job completes reliably. Which deployment strategy should they use?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use spot VMs with a restart policy configured in the instance template
Option A (sustained-use discount) is for always-on VMs, not suitable for hourly jobs. Option B (preemptible VMs) are cheaper but can be terminated, risking job failure. Option D (committed use discounts) require 1- or 3-year commitments, which is overkill. Option C (spot VMs with a restart policy) is correct: Spot VMs are similar to preemptible but more affordable, and configuring a restart policy ensures the job resumes if interrupted.
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.
✓
Use spot VMs with a restart policy configured in the instance template
Why this is correct
Spot VMs are cheaper than preemptible and can be restarted if terminated.
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.
✗
Use committed use discounts for the VM
Why it's wrong here
Committed use discounts require a 1- or 3-year commitment, not suitable for a job that runs only briefly.
✗
Create an always-on VM and use sustained-use discounts
Why it's wrong here
Sustained-use discounts apply to monthly usage; running only 20 min/hour is still cheap but not minimal cost.
✗
Use preemptible VMs and accept the risk of termination
Why it's wrong here
Preemptible VMs can terminate at any time, causing job failure.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this ACE question in full detail.
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.
Deploying and implementing a cloud solution — This question tests Deploying and implementing a cloud solution — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use spot VMs with a restart policy configured in the instance template — Option A (sustained-use discount) is for always-on VMs, not suitable for hourly jobs. Option B (preemptible VMs) are cheaper but can be terminated, risking job failure. Option D (committed use discounts) require 1- or 3-year commitments, which is overkill. Option C (spot VMs with a restart policy) is correct: Spot VMs are similar to preemptible but more affordable, and configuring a restart policy ensures the job resumes if interrupted.
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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